Gwangju Association for the Welfare of Intellectual Disabilities and Animal Medical Center Sign Agreement for Companion Animal Medical Support

Preferential Medical Fees and Joint Welfare Programs
for Households with Developmental Disabilities

The Gwangju City Association for the Welfare of Intellectual Disabilities and the Gwangju Animal Medical Center have signed a memorandum of understanding (MOU) to provide medical support for companion animals in households with individuals with developmental disabilities.

The Gwangju City Association for the Welfare of Intellectual Disabilities (led by President Baek Seok) announced on April 15 that it recently entered into a memorandum of understanding (MOU) with the Gwangju Animal Medical Center (Chief Director Song Jeongeun) to enhance the medical welfare of companion animals in households with individuals with developmental disabilities.

Provided by Gwangju Intellectual Developmental Disability Welfare Association

This agreement was established in response to the increasing number of households with individuals with developmental disabilities living with companion animals, aiming to alleviate the burden of medical expenses and strengthen emotional support. The scope of support will be expanded to include not only the association’s main office but also each district branch, affiliated organizations, and members and users of disability activity support institutions.

Under the agreement, the two organizations will provide preferential rates for animal medical treatment and comprehensive examinations to association members and members of disability activity support institutions; jointly develop welfare programs involving companion animals; offer education on companion animal health management for households with individuals with disabilities; and conduct joint campaigns to promote a culture of sharing within the local community.

President Baek Seok stated, "We expect this will provide practical assistance to both workers and users of disability activity support institutions," adding, "I hope this agreement will help relieve the psychological stress and economic burden faced by families of individuals with developmental disabilities."

Chief Director Song Jeongeun remarked, "Companion animals play the role of life partners for individuals with disabilities," and added, "Through professional medical services, we will support association families so they can continue to live healthy lives together with their companion animals."

The two organizations will prepare a medical support guideline after working-level consultations. They also plan to promote customized animal welfare services for households with individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities in the Gwangju region.

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.