Greetings
Most of you have heard of my tales of woe with my new dog that arrived in June, called Murphy. Only to have a permanent mate soon after – Mixon, which could have been
double trouble, but I think it has halved it. Despite spending a chunk of my childhood on
farms, I have never really been an animal person. I was tentative about it all, but the
encouragement from the family was to have the dogs. Being in lock down seems to have
helped the bonding process and now I am at the stage I could not be without them.
Being more aware of the impact, it’s been very interesting to hear recently of the impact
a pet has on health and day to day living. Below are three excerpts I wanted to share
where people’s physical and mental health has been increased because of animals.
Autism support
An autism support service has purchased an idyllic 40-hectare farm in north-eastern Victoria that it says could vastly improve the lives of its clients.
The not-for-profit organisation serves 300 families across the state and the vision is to transform the land and accompanying house, barns, tennis court, and paddocks into a tranquil escape for children and teenagers with autism.
Public Prosecutions Victoria
The Office of Public Prosecutions Victoria has adopted the use of a trained support dog to provide comfort to vulnerable witnesses when waiting for court or when giving evidence from the remote witness facility. We believe this is a positive step in making the court system more trauma sensitive to victims and witnesses.
Participating in a courtroom or other legal proceeding is one of the most stressful events that people can experience. Studies show the use of an appropriately trained dog can significantly reduce the stress in these experiences thereby improving the efficiency and quality of the legal process.
From Beyond Blue
It’s hard to put into words the happiness that a pet can bring someone. You might be the one caring for your pet but they support and care for you in unspoken ways. Whether it’s a dog wagging their tail and greeting you at the door, a cat or bunny snuggled in your lap or a bird singing to you, pets provide companionship and unconditional affection. The bond you share with a pet can do a lot to support your mental health.
 Pets don’t judge
 Pets keep you company
 Pets can encourage you to be more active
 Taking care of a pet can remind you to take better care of yourself
Pets aren’t for all, but when you see the amazing impact on some people’s lives, it is good to be thankful for the blessings they bring.
Ray