Guinea pigs as therapy

[Tommies Mam]

I first read of this in the nursing press, a nursing home has started using guinea pigs as therapy But why did they need to research what we already knew. ?/

Here's a link

http://www.royalblind.org/index/22/news/141/It%E2%80%99s-guinea-pig-therapy-for-blind-nursing-home-residents.html

 

[Bailey]

I'll have a read of the article when I get in from work

I know from reading Peter Gurney's biography he used to take his in to Great Ormond Street for the children, but H&S ruling stopped it

 

[Sophie]

Guinea pigs are excellent for therapy! I have been on some pets as therapy visits with cavy corner and the residents at the homes love it! Its really rewarding!
xx

 

[MellyWelly]

My piggies have been a great 'therapy' for me. Especially when I have felt 'rock-bottom' I'll spend more time with them, and soon those clouds are lifted.
Piggies rule!

 

[TwoPiggies]

That place is round the corner from my parents house!

That is such a good idea! My piggies r deffo my therapy

x

 

[torieraa]

I think any form of pet is great therapy.

My mum works as a carer in an assisted living complex and they used to bring in all different animals once a week to the day centre for the residents to hold. They stopped it when one of the ladies got a small scratch from a rabbit as they were worried about being sued! mallethead mallethead mallethead

There is also one lady who is in her 90's who never had children because she loved animals so much and felt her life was full. She now has no family and no pets as they aren't allowed to keep them.

On a brighter note she has lots of pictures on her mantlepiece of my piggies and loves hearing stories about them. Me and my mum are planning to smuggle gizmo in to see her as he is the most chilled out pig

-c-c

 

[mcayon2009]

I think any form of pet is great therapy.

I agree. I know when I am not so happy, my animals cheer me up and give me a sense of meaning. And they seem to love you unconditionally.

 

[piggiewiggie]

My piggies have been a great therapy to me.

 

[Bailey]

I think it's because animals know when something is wrong. When Bailey was pts I took him to my parents house so he could be buried in the garden, their dog Barney who is the most hyper thing in the world just came up to me and put his head in my lap and sat there with me.

 

[redd1800]

Silly to see pets banned from residential homes - there is a massive amount of research, based on all groups of vulnerable people interacting with everything from dogs, to dolphins, to farm animals, to guinea pigs that shows a huge positive effect on mental health.

Surely the sensible thing to do is to research the breed of animal, assess the individual animal to ensure it is well trained and appropriate, them made all residents who which to take part sign a no-sue contract for silly scratches etc.

Great article!