CHI Saint Joseph Health Partners with Lexington Humane Society to Share the Health Benefits of Pet Companionship

LEXINGTON, Ky. (June 21, 2021) – CHI Saint Joseph Health is partnering with the Lexington Humane Society (LHS) to offer reduced fees for pet adoptions, allowing more Lexington residents to experience the health benefits of pet companionship. Through the partnership, residents can adopt dogs, cats and kittens available at all LHS locations for a $25 fee on Friday, June 25, and Saturday, June 26. 

CHI Saint Joseph Health believes in the power of humankindness, connection and companionship to improve health, and the same can be said about our connection to our pets. A recent survey from CHI Saint Joseph Health showed how beneficial four-legged friends can be: 64% of pet parents said their pet taught them skills that helped them improve their personal relationships, 75% said their pet taught them how to show kindness to others. What’s more, pets can help improve our health and wellbeing, with 92% of pet parents sharing their pet made them happier, and 79% sharing their pet has made them healthier. 

“We get to experience firsthand the significant impact a pet has on a person’s life through every animal we adopt out at the Lexington Humane Society,” said Ashley Hammond, director of fundraising at LHS. “We are grateful to have teamed up with CHI Saint Joseph Health to be able to offer even more Lexington residents the opportunity to find their perfect companion.” 

LHS will extend its hours at the main campus location (1600 Old Frankfort Pike) on June 25 and 26 from noon to 8 p.m. so that residents have more time to find their perfect companion. The promotion will be offered at all LHS adoption locations, including the LHS Everyday Adoption Center inside of PetSmart, located at the Hamburg Pavilion. The organization will also hand out a ‘Companion Pass’ to those who may not immediately find their match, honoring the $25 adoption fee through Aug. 15, 2021.

The companion adoption event is an extension of CHI Saint Joseph Health’s new Hello humankindness movement that is grounded in the philosophy that while medicine has the ability to cure, our shared humanity has the power to heal – mind, body and spirit. This philosophy is a continuation of CHI Saint Joseph Health’s longstanding practice to care for each patient with kindness, empathy and respect, in addition to providing world-class medical excellence to the community.

“CHI Saint Joseph Health’s longstanding mission is rooted in our belief that humankindness, connection and companionship can improve our health, and the same can be said about our connection to our pets,” said Tony Houston, CEO of CHI Saint Joseph Health. “Whether at home or through our pet therapy programs in the hospital, we’ve seen how an interaction with a pet can support our health and happiness. We’re excited for the opportunity to further connection and kindness in Lexington and share the joy and benefits of pet companionship.”

Visit LHS online to view a current list of pets ready for adoption, and learn more about CHI Saint Joseph Health’s healing mission at chisaintjosephhealth.org. 

Methodology: CHI Saint Joseph Health surveyed 1,000 pet owners over the age of 18 in the U.S. Fielding was executed in May 2021. 

About CHI Saint Joseph Health

CHI Saint Joseph Health, part of CommonSpirit Health, is one of the largest and most comprehensive health systems in the Commonwealth of Kentucky with 100 locations in 20 counties, including hospitals, physician groups, clinics, primary care centers, specialty institutes, home health agencies and an ambulatory Care Center. The hospitals in CHI Saint Joseph Health are Flaget Memorial Hospital, Saint Joseph Berea, Saint Joseph East, Saint Joseph Hospital, Saint Joseph Jessamine, Saint Joseph London, Saint Joseph Mount Sterling, and Women’s Hospital at Saint Joseph East. In total, the health system serves patients in 35 counties statewide. CHI Saint Joseph Health is dedicated to providing a wide array of services toward a goal of building a healthier future for all. CHI Saint Joseph Health embodies a strong mission and faith-based heritage and works through local partnerships to expand access to care in the communities it serves.

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