Description
STATEMENT OF WORK (SOW) Contract Title. Companion dog training and placement by Canine Humane Network for older Veterans enrolled in the Whole Health(y) Gerofit program. Background. This contract directly relates to the Whole Health redesign initiative of the Veterans Health Administration (VHA). In an effort to improve health outcomes and life expectancy, and to lower costs, VHA is trying to empower Veterans to take charge of their healthcare. One of the components of this initiative is equipping Veterans with wellbeing programs to address loneliness and social isolation. The Gerofit program at the VA Maryland Health Care System (VAMHCS) Geriatric Research Education Clinical Center (GRECC) is a health promotion and exercise program for older Veterans that has documented individuals in the program function physically better than they did upon entry, substantially reducing their risk of institutionalization. We are now adding a program that allows older Veterans to care for (foster) and adopt rescue (companion) dogs to not only increase physical activity, but to help combat the negative consequences of social isolation and loneliness by providing a companion pet from a local rescue group. The vendor will provide training, for both the Veteran and the dog, and will ensure proper placement of a rescue dog into the Veterans home by addressing the physical limitations and environment of the Veteran for the safest possible matching. The vendor will also provide supplies needed for the dogs care, including veterinary expenses, medication, preventives, crates, harnesses, collars, leashes, and dog food. Scope. This vendor has the expertise and capability of carefully assessing which rescue dog will be the best match for a Veteran, taking into consideration the physical limitations and housing-specific needs, and whether the Veteran has experience with dog fostering or dog ownership. This vendor has the ability to take in dogs from shelters in Maryland, provide them with training, and appropriate veterinary care before being placed into a home for fostering or adoption. The vendor has the expertise and capability of providing excellent and timely veterinary care for the dogs in the program, and other dog-specific supplies that will be used by the Veteran when the dog is living in the Veteran s home. Specific Tasks. The vendor will provide the following- Task 1 - training Basic obedience training for 15 dogs, and any specific training necessary given the participants limitations. The vendor will provide training for the 15 participants as pertains to caring for a dog. Deliverables: Training for 15 dogs. Task 2 - placement The vendor will provide placement service for 15 dogs, working with 15 Veterans to choose a dog best suited for the participant s home and family and background. Deliverables: Placement for 15 dogs. Task 3 care and supplies The vendor will provide veterinary care and other dog-related supplies for 15 dogs. Deliverables: Veterinary care and supplies for 15 dogs Performance Monitoring The Gerofit Program Manager will monitor and assess performance on an ongoing basis to ensure the services are beneficial to the participants who partake. Security Requirements All work will take place in the Veteran s home or with a rescue group. The vendor will be current on all on the required VA safety and security trainings at all times. Risk Control There are no risks associated with this contract that go beyond standard physical activity safety practices. Vendor will be notified of all aspects of safe conduct of physical activity interventions, and re-trained annually or as required by the VA Talent Management System. All training certificates will be kept on file, and the Contractor s required trainings will be continuously monitored by the Gerofit Program Manager. Place of Performance. The homes of program participants and the rescue facility of the companion dogs. Period of Performance. August 2, 2021-Auguest 1, 2021