On Wednesday, September 08, 1999 6:07 AM, janet paterson wrote:
>Pets could save NHS £1bn a year.
>The Society of Companion Animal Studies (SCAS) said the therapeutic
effects of being with a cat, a dog or another animal could benefit
patients ranging from children with cancer to the elderly and save the
NHS £1bn a year.
>The research showed that pet owners make fewer visits to their doctor
each year, suffer fewer sleeping difficulties and are less likely to be
taking medicine for a heart condition.
>Some psychologists say pets can help disturbed children and people
suffering dementia - although others say having too many pets is a sign
of a psychiatric disorder.
>
I think this is something we pet owners have known all along.
Judith, protector and mama to 3 cats, Annie, Abigail and Molly AND 1
noisy but cute little dog dog, Jeremy.
--
Judith Richards, London, Ontario, Canada
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>
>Wednesday, September 8, 1999 Published at 07:49 GMT 08:49 UK - Pets
could help cap the ever-increasing costs of the NHS, according to animal
specialists.
>
>
>It has called on health authorities, landlords and the government to
make it easier for people to own pets.
>
>And on Wednesday a one-day conference in London heard from specialists
extolling the health benefits of pet power.
>
>They point to studies suggesting that in Australia pet ownership has
saved the health service £900m a year while dog and cat ownership in
Germany is said to have saved £4.9bn.
>
>A spokeswoman for SCAS said: "We are now doing research into the
potential cost savings for this country but if you apply the same
principals to the UK as people have done to other countries, it comes
out at about £1bn a year."
>
>Dr Sam Ross launched a rehabilitation project in the US which uses pet
therapy with severely disturbed youngsters
>
>He said doctors and politicians should realise the health benefits of
animals.
>
>"Pets are a vastly under-used resource in the health care field and we
need to change that," he said.
>
>"They can speed up recovery rates which obviously helps the patient and
saves money.
>
>"With physically injured adults and children they can help in the
physiotherapy and rehabilitation stages.
>
>"A patient may be screaming with pain on a physio bench but if you put
a horse in front of them and get them riding they forget about the pain
and start enjoying their treatment.
>
>"Patients who are disabled, for instance in wheelchairs, can benefit
from having a dog about the house who can help them maintain their
independence and give them something to relate to and focus on.
>
>"Often physically disabled people or the elderly cannot get out much
and don't have anything to do - pets can help them to enjoy life and
that can mean cuts in the costs of home helps and healthcare."
>
>Any animal could help, he said, whether it was a bird, cat, dog, fish
or horse.
>
>Mary Whylam, chairwoman of SCAS said: "We will continue to urge the UK
authorities to take a holistic view of the value of companion animals in
society - particularly in light of recent studies which indicate that
pets could ease national health expenditure and provide the answer to a
longer, happier and healthier life."
>
>
>BBC News Online: Health
><http://news.bbc.co.uk/low/english/health/newsid_441000/441483.stm>
>
>janet paterson
>52 now / 41 dx / 37 onset
>613 256 8340 po box 171 almonte ontario canada K0A 1A0
>a new voice: <http://www.geocities.com/SoHo/Village/6263/>
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