We can see your Halo

Prior to coming to Hume, Dale lived out of his car with his dog, Halo. It had been a long-term situation and he needed a home that would accept his four-legged friend too. “Halo has been with me through thick and thin. Not only is she my best friend, she is all I have left. I truly treasure her. She brightens up my day and I couldn’t do life without her,” Dale said.

According to research by the Human Animal Bond Research Institute (HABRI), the benefits of having a pet include a reduction in stress, fear and anxiety, and an increase of oxytocin levels in the human brain. These biological responses have measurable clinical effects.

 

It’s no surprise that in HABRI’s 2016 survey of pet owners, 98% considered their pet to be a member of the family; 74% reported mental health improvements frompet own ership; and 75% reported a friend’s or family member’s mental health improved from pet ownership.

 

Other benefits, including companionship, reduced feelings of loneliness and having the responsibility of caring for a pet can assist people in managing long-term mental health conditions.

 

Customer Dale was referred to Hume by one of our partners, for help to find a suitable home and to access support services so he could get back on his feet.

 

Monica Portus, Senior Neighbourhood Officer at Hume said, “our specialists in Hume’s allocations, housing
options and neighbourhoods’ teams worked closely with our partners and identified barriers and challenges Dale was facing."

 

“We considered the community we were placing Dale into, making sure it was beneficial to his mental health and was a place where he could thrive,” she said.

Hume found a home that was within Dale’s means—and one Halo would be happy in too. “I had a huge smile on my face when I viewed the house. I couldn’t wait to move in,” Dale said.

 

Conveniently located near a shopping centre and a 10-minute drive from central Maitland, Dale and Halo love their new home. “It’s a huge adjustment getting used to living in a house [instead of my car], and I love the garden,” he said. “Halo loves playing in the big yard, and we’re tending to a frangipani tree out the front. It will look beautiful when it’s in full bloom. It’s unbelievable to have a place to call my home,” Dale said.

Hume worked with Dale to devise a financial plan. Now, he can save for his future and set some goals.

 

As a Hume customer, he has access to education and training and other services provided by Hume and its service partners.
“I’m working on my mental health, and when I’m stronger I would like to learn about app development and to make a difference in the lives of people who are homeless. I’m looking forward to the chance of employment.

“I have so many plans for the future. Things are definitely looking up for Halo and me,” he said.