MENTAL HEALTH Man’s Best Friend


Elaine Parker Johnson, CEO of national social care charity Making Space, explains why she believes care homes should be more accommodating to their residents’ pets.


Clinical studies have demonstrated that people have found huge relief from mental and physical symptoms by owning, or simply being around, pets.


Evidence Speaks Volume A 2011 study in the Journal of Personality and Social Psychology showed that people experienced marked improvements in mental health as a result of pet ownership; those with pets suffered less from depression and loneliness, and experienced greater self-esteem and happiness than those without.


Many more clinical studies have demonstrated the mental and physical health benefits of having pets, showing that being around animals can help to alleviate allergies, boost the immune system, reduce stress levels and increase fitness. Dog ownership has even been shown to lower blood pressure and reduce the risk of heart disease.


Animal-assisted therapy is being used in a growing number of medical situations. Juvarinski Hospital in Canada regularly allows pets to visit owners who are undergoing treatment, while back in the UK, patients have found relief in their final hours by being allowed to bid fond farewells to dogs, cats and even horses.


Animal therapy is used to enhance the social skills of children with autism-spectrum disorders, and to help people deal with post traumatic stress disorder. Therapy dogs from the Good Dog Foundation, based in New York, have provided relief for cancer sufferers and disaster victims, amongst many others.


Animals in Action With this growing weight of evidence of the health benefits of pet


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ownership, Making Space are happy to be able to accommodate residents with pets in some of their care homes.


The first four-legged friend that took up residence with Making Space and made a home with their owner was in Sherdley Court in Prescot, one of the residential care homes for people with mental health issues. A new resident was devastated at the thought of being without his beloved cat, Jacqueline, and pet mouse, Hercules so, after carrying out a thorough assessment and consulting


therapy is being used in a growing number of medical situations.”


“Animal-assisted


other residents, the charity extended the invitation to the gentleman and his treasured friends.


The gentleman passed away peacefully several months later after spending his final days happily accompanied by his beloved pets. Hercules departed not long after his caring owner, but Jacqueline the cat remains to this day, and is much loved by residents and staff.


Huge Benefits While there is no substitute for a treatment plan devised and delivered by a trained medical professional, the love of an animal brings huge additional benefits to medical and psychological treatment.


Pets don’t become impatient with those who struggle to communicate, nor do they care whether you have lost your hair, a limb or control of your bodily functions. They’re not in a hurry to move onto the next patient on the list, or to rush off and cook dinner. They are unfailingly, unflinchingly and unconditionally there to provide love, warmth and affection.


Patients First Within a care home setting, person- centred care is the epitome of good practice. Taking the time to understand the wants and needs of each individual has a huge impact on quality of life, and each resident’s requests and requirements should be given serious consideration and respected as far possible.


With the proven mental and physical health benefits of pet ownership, there is absolutely no reason why this care should not extend to allowing residents’ to remain with their beloved pets.


www.makingspace.co.uk www.tomorrowscare.co.uk


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