Dog visits help support therapy provision during pandemic
Mental health hospitals have faced significant challenges over the past 18 months, trying to find ways to keep patients engaged and motivated amidst ongoing restrictions and limited visits from friends and family.
So staff at Heatherwood Court, a forensic mental health hospital in Pontypridd, have involved their canine friends to help meet the challenge.
Service users at Heatherwood had previously enjoyed dog walking through connections with local animal shelters, but lockdowns and COVID-19 restrictions meant they had been left disappointed when they couldn’t take part in their usual activities which formed part of the hospital’s pet therapy course.
When Paul Sutton, quality and development manager at Ludlow Street Healthcare, which runs the hospital, heard about this, he offered his dog, miniature schnauzer Daisy May, to help bridge the gap until the kennels were open again.
Paul explained: “We have found that the presence of the dogs helps service users feel more relaxed and at ease so they start to open up to us about their fears and concerns. They become far less guarded which really helps with their treatment and recovery.”
Dr Penny McCarthy, clinical associate at Ludlow Street Healthcare, also brings her two dogs, Larry and Buddy, along to sessions at the hospital.
Dr McCarthy said: “From a clinical perspective, pet therapy rapidly builds positive working relationships, establishing rapport, trust and engagement with the therapeutic pathway.
“Time spent with animals in a clinical setting can also increase motivation to recover, decrease patient anxiety levels, bring a sense of calm, reduce incidences on the ward, increase self-esteem and confidence, as well as reducing boredom and feelings of isolation, especially after the tough lockdowns we have endured over the past 16 months.
“Although pet therapy might not be for everyone, research has shown that stroking dogs and increased exercise that comes with dog ownership, also helps reduce blood pressure, improve cardiovascular health and diminish physical pain, potentially helping reduce medication required to control conditions which our mental health patients are particularly vulnerable to.”
Sarah House, operations director at Ludlow Street Healthcare, said: “Just before COVID hit we launched our co-produced Recovery College at Heatherwood.
“With input from patients we offer courses that will promote wellbeing and rehabilitation as well as practical skill-based courses that will aid patients to successfully transition back into the community.
“Pet therapy was one of our most popular courses but had to be postponed due to COVID. Having staff bring in their own dogs has been a brilliant way of filling the gap and the patients look forward to the dog’s scheduled visits.”
Heatherwood Court is owned and run by healthcare specialists, Ludlow Street Healthcare.
Established in 2005, Ludlow Street Healthcare has supported and cared for over 800 people. More information about Heatherwood Court and Ludlow Street Healthcare is available on their websitewww.heatherwoodcourt.co.uk.
