The healing power of pets has gone from something akin to an old wives' tale to being embraced by health boards, hospices and secure units.
The healing power of pets has gone from something akin to an old wives' tale to being embraced by health boards, hospices and secure units.
popular: Mac the bearded collie inspired countless conversations. Picture: Nick Ponty
Custom byline text:
health & wellbeing how i … trained my dog to be a therapet marisa duffy
It is known that the mere action of stroking a dog or cat slows down the heartbeat and reduces blood pressure as well as inducing feelings of wellbeing.
I'm about to witness first-hand the effect an animal has on patients as I arrive at the Prince and Princess of Wales hospice in Glasgow with Mac, my bearded collie, who is volunteering as a therapy dog for the afternoon.
We moderate all comments on HeraldScotland on either a pre-moderated or post-moderated basis. If you're a relatively new user then your comments will be reviewed before publication and if we know you well then your comments will be subject to moderation only if other users or the moderators believe you've broken the rules, which are available here.
Moderation is undertaken full-time 9am-6pm on weekdays, and on a part-time basis outwith those hours. Please be patient if your posts are not approved instantly.
