6 minute read
Meet the hero animal Key Workers
Some Key Workers have more than two legs (or even none at all!). ASHA CLEARWATER explains how these animal heroes have contributed to our public services and mental well-being.
They visit us in hospital, hospices, care homes and prisons, sniff out any threats to our health or safety, carry out daily tasks for us, rescue us when we’re in danger and provide comfort, support and companionship 24/7.
Animal heroes work beside us every day. These Key Workers of the animal kingdom demonstrate what it means to tirelessly serve others … and all in return for nothing more than a warm bed and a square meal.
From therapy pets, medical alert, search and rescue dogs to emotional support animals, military, police, fire brigade and guide dogs, they’re here for us, making our lives happier and healthier.
A dog’s nose is described as the best bio-sensor we know of by Medical Detection Dogs, an organisation that trains canine companions to detect human disease.
The organisation is at the forefront of research into the fight against cancer and diseases such as Parkinson’s.
Biodetection dogs sniff out diseases from urine, breath and sweat samples, while medical alert assistance dogs support people with life-threatening health conditions like Type 1 diabetes, Addison’s, PoTS (Postural orthostatic Tachycardia Syndrome), severe allergies and other endocrine disorders.
The dogs identify minute odour changes, alerting their human to an emergency before it happens, so they can act swiftly, giving their owner confidence and independence.
Feelgood felines play an important role too. Social media is full of calming cats, who have become resident pest and stress controllers at police and railway stations.
There’s no-one like Felix and Bolt, the Huddersfield Station Cats, to brighten your mood and your travels. With 161,000 Facebook followers and rising, people can’t get enough of the furry duo.
Here are three great examples of hero animals in action:
Boa Constrictor Connie and frog Wubble
“Everybody loves her. She’s like a big weighted blanket. They find her really calming,” says Dale Preece-Kelly, about Connie, a five stone, nearly nine feet long Boa Constrictor, one of his most popular therapy snakes.
Dale, 55, an animal-assisted therapy practitioner from Worcestershire, cares for around 60 animals – from dogs, cats, rabbits, chickens, ferrets and chinchillas to snakes, lizards, stick insects, millipedes, a tarantula, skinny pigs, an African Pygmy hedgehog, a skunk and a frog.
“My frog, Wubble, is like a little Buddha, always smiling – a calm and happy character who not only raises a smile, but also helps to calm people,” says Dale.
“In the baby hospice we visit, his cool body helps children with temperatures and headaches feel better.”
Dale sees all his animal pals as heroes: “What I love most about them is what they can teach us about living life – that they are always present in the moment; yesterday no longer matters, tomorrow doesn’t exist, all that matters to them is now, and if we all lived like that, we would all be happier and the world a better place.”
Dale says people always enjoy the experience: “Spending time with animals releases endorphins, serotonin and oxytocin, and the snakes and spider help people overcome fear and stigma, releasing dopamine and adrenaline too. These are all feel good hormones leaving us feeling a mixture of calm, excitement, elation and empathy (in even the hardest of criminals).”
“The unconditional love and trust animals show us, regardless of who we are and what we’ve done, is an acceptance that many have never felt.”
Miniature Shetland Pony, Jo, Spotted Miniature Horse, Buggles (Bug) and Shetland Pony, Mimosa (Mim)
“When Jo, my miniature Shetland pony, laid his head on the lap of a lady who was particularly poorly and in bed, it was beautiful to see him be so gentle and tender and to see the lady smile the most genuine smile. Knowing we’d brightened her day, when she was struggling so much, was one of the most heartwarming moments,” recalls Dr Kaf Barriball, 55, who takes her ponies into care homes, hospitals, nursery schools, assisted-living facilities, schools for people with special educational needs and private homes.
Kaf, from Skegness, is Director of Rainbow Dreaming CIC and works with 8-year-old miniature Shetland, Jo, 5-year-old Buggles (Bug) and Mimosa (Mim), a grey Shetland pony in her early 20s.
She says: “They are always met with a sea of smiles and, often, tears of joy. People can’t believe their eyes, and it can take a moment or two for it to sink in that there really is a pony in their lounge or bedroom. Seeing people become so animated and chatty is fantastic. It’s particularly heartwarming to see someone with dementia, or who’s very withdrawn, want to interact with the ponies.
“Care homes say sessions are incredibly beneficial in terms of boosting mental health: stress and anxiety seem to reduce, as do feelings of isolation and loneliness. Communication and interaction improves during contact with the ponies and the mood of residents is lifted. Often, people who would stay seated want to get up to give the ponies a hug or walk with them.”
PAT (Pets as Therapy) Dog Chloe, aged 12
“She is such a people ‘person’ - very sociable and knows when she’s going on a visit when she gets her little uniform on,” says care assistant, Caroline Warburton about her PAT (Pets As Therapy) dog, Chloe.
This caring canine visits nursing homes and SENSE venues for people with complex disabilities and has completed agility and scent training too.
Chloe’s PAT training included a temperament test, which she passed with flying colours.
“She’s very loving and great with people of all ages and abilities,” says Caroline, 51, from South Lincolnshire. “People we visit talk about their lives with their dogs … it gets them talking and they enjoy giving her a treat. Sometimes, just by visiting and by them stroking her and chatting, they feel they have achieved something. As Chloe is quite vocal, they feel like she is talking to them.”
Pets As Therapy is a national charity that enhances the health and wellbeing of thousands across the UK, with volunteers and their pets visiting care homes, hospitals, schools, prisons and hospices.
