Pets could save NHS £1bn a year
Research suggests pets have a therapeutic effect
Pets could help cap the ever-increasing costs of the NHS, according to animal
specialists.
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.
It has called on health authorities, landlords and the government to make it
easier for people to own pets.
And on Wednesday 8th September 1999 a one-day conference in London heard from
specialists extolling the health benefits of pet power.
Healthier life
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.
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.
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."
Disturbed children
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.
Independence
"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."
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