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Pets help with stroke rehabilitation
Every
week, some 3,000 dogs and nearly 100 cats from national charity Pets as
Therapy are busy visiting people in a range health and education
settings, including stroke rehabilitation. Their ability to reach out and touch people is fantastic, and they are moving into new areas.
Working with stroke patients
What
is not so well known about the charity, however, is that many
healthcare professionals ask PAT volunteers to become involved in
stroke rehabilitation work. Common problems occurring after a stroke range from
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physical (such as weakness, paralysis, pain, sensation problems, problems with the bladder and bowels, balance difficulties)
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emotional – mood swings, depression, sadness, anger, loss of self-esteem
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difficulties communicating
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concentrating, memory and learning
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interpretation and perception, that is, recognising and using familiar objects
Sometimes,
the animal may simply provide tactile comfort and contact to
individuals who have suffered a stroke, but other times, as seen above,
they may be enlisted to help with structured sessions as part of their stroke rehabilitation, with goals set
out by the therapist involved. Occupational therapists, speech and
language therapists and/or physiotherapists may all be involved in the
process.
During
sessions with a client, the therapist involved in the patient's stroke rehabilitation will probably set a goal such as
improving movements, through reaching out to stroke the dog, or
throwing an object for him to retrieve, or fine motor movements
(clipping and unclipping leads and collars). PAT volunteers may also be involved in an informal walkabout, or more structured sessions with a group or person.
All
stroke rehabilitation work undertaken by PAT volunteers is done so
under the guidance and direct supervision of a health care
professional.
Pets visit care homes
Pets as Therapy has grown considerably since it started 25 years ago. In
fact, the charity has done such amazing work that it has been awarded
the BKR Haines Watts Award for “innovation in the non-clinical areas of
the NHS Trusts.”
The dogs and cats involved visit a range of places:
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Hospitals
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Hospices
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Residential and nursing homes
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Day care centres
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Working with Phobic children
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Working with stroke patients
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Working with people who are clinically depressed
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Special needs schools
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Mainstream schools
Dogs and cats are assessed, to ensure that their temperament is quite right for the job in hand. Then they – with their owners – may visit once a week, for between one and two hours, although some do more.
How can pet owners help?
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Become a registered volunteer and pay the annual subscription charge (£19). All dogs and cats take on in the scheme must be assessed first.
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Become a supporter
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If you’re under 18, join the Pets as Therapy Junior Club (see the Juniors page on their web site)
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If you’re an establishment, become a supporter and receive visits from PAT dogs and cats
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Send a donation
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Sponsor a volunteer
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Recruit supporters and volunteers
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Help with fund-raising events
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Donating stationery e.g. paper, ink cartridges etc
For more info on Pets as Therapy, click here
The Stroke Association has lots of info, both for patients, their families & health professionals.
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