#110 Our Special Friends with Dr Bin Johnston

18.11.24

#110 Our Special Friends with Dr Bin Johnston

In this episode it is my pleasure to talk with Dr Bin Johnston, founder of the Suffolk based charity, ‘Our Special Friends. This incredible charity provides human-animal support services to vulnerable people with a love of animals. In discussion with Bin we explore the diverse work of Our Special Friends, Advance Care Planning inclusive of pets and the concept of animal inclusive communities. We acknowledge that What Matters Most to a person can be the welfare of their animal.

Key messages

  • Bin describes the concept of invisible vulnerability and the catalyst for Our Special Friends

  • Bin describes how personal circumstances shaped her view of vulnerability

  • Fostering to reunite encompasses temporary care of an animal with the intent to reunite, people require this support for personal health and social care or when fleeing domestic abuse.

  • The concept of Advance Care Planning inclusive of pets is explained by Bin 

  • Introducing animal care brings human contact and relationships for people


Resource

Bio

Bin Johnston MA VetMB MRCVS

Email: bin.johnston@ourspecialfriends.org

Facebook:  https://www.facebook.com/ourspecialfriends 

Instagram: ourspecialfriends 

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/belinda-johnston-4b106b19/ 

Bin Johnston MA VetMB MRCVS founded and runs the Suffolk, UK charity, ‘Our Special Friends’ www.ourspecialfriends.org providing human-animal support services to vulnerable people with a love of animals.

After graduating from Cambridge Vet School, Bin was a founder partner of a London clinic before marriage took her to Suffolk. Studying person-centred counselling skills and her volunteering for Cruse (human bereavement) and the Samaritans developed her passionate interest in bereavement training and the need for multidisciplinary community support for people and animals experiencing vulnerability to ensure their welfare needs are identified and met. She founded and runs the Suffolk, UK charity, ‘Our Special Friends’ providing animal companionship support services and developing the new role of an animal companionship practitioner.

 

What one thing will you do?

It would be great to share what resonated with you from this episode, what is the one thing you will do differently? Head to Twitter, Facebook or LinkedIn to continue these important conversations.

Thanks to all my guests for working with me to share their knowledge, experience and stories about Advance Care Planning. I hope you enjoyed listening and have insights to take away; I love hearing your reflections on the series and look forward to reviews on Spotify where you can also subscribe to the series.

Clare

Important Conversations about Important Conversations.