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Occupational therapist praises impact of four-legged helper

Wednesday 5th August 2009

An occupational therapist has spoken out in praise over the impact of a four-legged helper at a UK medical centre.

Three-year-old cocker spaniel Charlie regularly visits a unit run by Winchester NHS known as the Melbury Lodge, the Hampshire Chronicle reports.

The enthusiastic assistant is part of the Pets as Therapy programme and he is said to be popular among patients at the mental health facility.

Occupational therapist for Hampshire Partnership NHS Foundation Trust Jenni Hart said: "Everyone enjoys meeting and spending time with Charlie, he's very well behaved and people's faces light up when they see him."

She added that there is growing evidence to indicate that animals can improve people's mental health.

It allows some patients who suffer from feelings of isolation and who are withdrawn to relax and open up, the medical expert said.

The Hampshire Partnership NHS Foundation Trust has an annual income of around £188 million and it is responsible for the running of 89 medical facilities.

Written by Martin Lambert