Homeless service providers from throughout San Diego County, and even from out of state, got tips on how they can provide shelter and housing to clients with pets during an open house at Father Joe’s Villages on Thursday. The event was the first of its kind in San Diego and one of four held each year by the New York-based nonprofit My Dog is My Home “We’re showing you that it doesn’t have to be a big deal,” My Dog is My Home founder Christine Kim told guests gathered in a community room at Father Joe’s Villages. Pet ownership continues to be a barrier at many shelters and housing programs throughout the country, and Kim said she launched her nonprofit in 2016 to help service providers take steps to allow people and pets to coexist. She began holding open houses in 2022 and has made stops in Cincinnati, New York and Los Angeles before coming to San Diego. Jesse Casement, division director of client services at Father Joe’s Villages, told about two dozen representatives from service providers and some government agencies that one of the first challenges she faced was convincing staff members that allowing clients to have pets would not be an ordeal. “They were like, ‘What if they bring in monkeys?’” she recalled people saying. “A lot of you are probably hearing the same worries.” After Father Joe’s began accepting service and emotional support animals in 2010, the nonprofit decided to lower the barrier even more and allow all pets in 2020, which caused more concerns among staff members. Casement said there was fear that their shelters would be overwhelmed with dogs and cats with the policy change. In reality, Casement said they didn’t see much of an increase. “There was some dog-on-dog crime, but there really wasn’t much more,” Casement said. “We had an emotional support rooster. That was a learning curve.” Some physical accommodations such as pet relief areas were made at the Father Joe’s campus, and regular visits from veterinarians have been scheduled. Father Joe’s still asks clients if pets are for emotional support or service animals, but they do not require paperwork for proof. Casement said the pet’s classification is good to know when finding housing for clients because landlords may have restrictions. Casement said Father Joe’s created a written policy for pet ownership, and there are rules. Wild animals, livestock and venomous animals are not allowed, and there are restrictions on where pets can travel. Speakers also included Father Joe’s client Gillian Grace, who spoke about how her dog Kaboose is her best friend. Studies have found that most pet owners will turn down shelter if they are not allowed to bring their pets. Attendees at the open house included representatives from Pine Street Inn in Boston, the largest service provider in Massachusetts, and Shepherd’s House in Mount Airy, North Carolina. Pine Street Inn Director of Operational Compliance Philip Qualo said emotional support and service animals are allowed at his nonprofit, but not pets, so many people are turned away. “We want to change that,” he said. “We want to allow them in the shelter, and that’s why I’m here. To take information back.” Father Joe’s has allowed at least 724 animals at its properties since 2010 and currently has 26. Overall, 43% have been pets, 39% emotional support animals and 17% service animals.