Verde Valley Caregivers Coalition

Verde Valley Caregivers Coalition commits to supporting and encouraging older adults in their quest to age in place in their community of choice by enhancing their independence, promoting higher quality of life, and reducing barriers to happiness, making the Verde Valley an attractive and sustainable retirement destination.

About 65% of the older adults we serve are 80 years and older. Most of them live alone, can no longer drive, and many suffer from chronic illnesses. Our "neighbors" depend on us for life-saving services including transportation to critical appointments, medication pick up, physical therapy, dialysis, grocery shopping, other urgent errands, and pet assistance. As our elderly clients age in place, about 40% are doing so with their aging pets. For many of our elderly neighbors, they stay in their homes to be with their pets because they are often a primary source of emotional support and comfort. After responding to many emergencies with high-needs elderly and high-needs pets, VVCC has developed a pet program to aid with dire situations. VVCC's "Pets Count Too!" program keeps pets in place, providing emergency services including veterinary care, boarding, grooming, pet food and supplies.

Your gift during Arizona Gives Day will help fund services to keep pets with their elderly owners.

VVCC now serves 3,900 older adults and adults with disabilities throughout the Verde Valley. Because half of the clients we serve live at or below the poverty level, all of our services are provided to them at no cost through the efforts of 300 dedicated volunteers.

We provide services to clients in 10 communities: Camp Verde, Clarkdale, Cornville, Cottonwood, Jerome, Lake Montezuma, McGuireville, Rimrock, Sedona, and Village of Oak Creek. 

VVCC depends on individual donors for over half its funding. Your gift today can turn your caring into action and help the seniors remain in their homes with their pets for as long as possible.

Testimonials

VVCC's 89-year-old client, Al V, a life-long artist, tells us about his very special cat, Lacy.

“I met Lacy when she was about six months old. My friend had fostered her from a shelter after learning she was on the kill list for the following day! She was apparently not injured but she was in shock, wouldn't eat and she had 4 babies at her breast she could not nurse. The moment this beautiful cat's eyes met mine, I was in love! Sadly, her babies did not survive, but my friend saved Lacy's life, and I adopted her. She is very smart, strong and lively. Even at age 21, she often still runs, jumps and plays like a kitten. She is my constant companion.”

Al says Lacy walks on a leash, rides in the car and even loves to go shopping (where pets are allowed.) “I never allow her to roam free outside due to so many environmental dangers, like coyotes,” he adds.

“About 2 years ago, Lacy became suddenly very ill. The vet thought she was near death, due to her advanced age. However, my friend discovered that Lacy was consuming her litter! We learned that some cats do develop a habit of ingesting clay litter. Who knew? This habit was killing my Lacy!

“Thanks to Verde Valley Caregivers’ Pet Assistance Program, I was able to obtain the blood tests required to monitor her recovery. After we replaced her litter with natural wood bedding material and gave her some IV liquids, all of the clay passed from her gut and she quickly recovered.

“Thank you VVCC for helping me save my precious Lacy's life!”