A day in the life of a Blue Cross community vet nurse - in pictures

Through its hospitals and welfare clinics, animal charity the Blue Cross provides vet care for people on means-tested benefits and low incomes. Working out of the charity’s flagship animal hospital in Victoria, Jo Edwards brings that care to the doorstep of those too old or ill to cope. Jo regularly visits more than 60 clients in their homes to help them care for their animals Photograph: The Blue Cross

Jo greets 79-year-old client Kathleen Emery at her flat in south London where she lives with her 12-year-old black cat Lady. Many of Jo’s clients are elderly – studies show that looking after pets can make older people more aware of their own self-care needs, it can give them an increased sense of wellbeing, lead to a reduced number of visits to the GP and lower their blood pressure.

Jo said: “For some people, I can be the first person they have seen for several days. So often, this service means the difference between someone being able to keep their pet with them or having to give them up. For many, their cat or dog is their closest companion – they lift their spirits and provide them with company.” Photograph: The Blue Cross

Lady is due for a nail clipping – but Jo has to find her first. She explains: “I often spend the first 10 minutes of the appointment, chasing cats around the home searching under beds, or behind chairs. They see me coming and they run. “Dogs tend to be very forgiving but I have few fans in the cat community – once you cross them, they never forget.” Photograph: The Blue Cross

Once Lady is caught, Jo manages to keep hold of her long enough to trim her nails. More often than not, Jo provides simple things - like bathing, nail clipping, injections and deworming - which the owners, through frailty or being unable to travel, are unable to manage.

Owner Kathleen said: “I wouldn’t be able to do this myself – I can’t catch her for a start. It is great to have Jo come round and help with these things, it means so much to us both.” Photograph: The Blue Cross

Next on Jo's list is Catherine Terry, who lives with her husband Albert, five cats, four dogs – including Yorkshire terrier Angel (pictured giving Jo an enthusiastic greeting) – one guinea pig and a menagerie of rescue birds.

Catherine, who is unable to travel due to health problems, said: “The dogs get spoilt by the nurses at the Blue Cross – if I ever have any worries they are at the end of a phone line. They are absolutely brilliant.” Photograph: The Blue Cross

Catherine helps soothe seven-year-old Freeway the Shih-Tzu while Jo inspects his ears. Freeway is prone to ear infections, so Jo gives him a deep clean and a clean bill of health.

She said: “To some, this might not seem like much, but I have one very elderly client whose dog needs regular ear cleaning without which his infection would get so bad that his quality of life could suffer. This lady and her dog depend on each other entirely and my visits mean they can stay together longer.” Photograph: The Blue Cross

Felix the cat is one of four who belong to a young woman with mental health problems. He is losing weight and Jo takes him away for health tests because it is too much for his owner to negotiate the trip to the vet.

Research suggests interaction with pets such as cats and dogs can improve mental health, lowering levels of stress hormones and increasing the levels of hormones relating to feelings of happiness and wellbeing. Recent studies suggest animal interaction can provide benefits to people suffering from dementia, Alzheimer’s disease, schizophrenia and trauma.

Jo said: “I see Felix’s owner regularly – she sometimes needs a little bit of help looking after herself as well as her pets but her cats give her a focus and structure to her day.” Photograph: The Blue Cross

Felix arrives back at the Blue Cross animal hospital in Victoria, London, where he will undergo tests before Jo returns him to his owner with a diagnosis. The Blue Cross has three animal hospitals in London and one in Grimsby as well as a network of animal adoption centres and veterinary clinics across the country. The recession means there is more demand for its services than ever. Jo said: “We help animals but what we do is also a great benefit to their owners too – helping vulnerable people keep their beloved companions with them through tough times.” Photograph: The Blue Cross