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Pets on prescription
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09 August 2005 Pets on prescription
NHS patients are being offered the chance to have a pet on prescription to help improve their health. Patients can use grants of up to £1,000 as experts believe looking after an animal can have a positive effect.
Lewisham Primary Care Trust has set up a pilot scheme, and believes the idea could save money in the long-term.
Gill Galliano, director of neighbourhood development for Lewisham Primary Care Trust, said: "Each patient has been allocated a budget which can be spent on items which will improve their wellbeing so they do not require unplanned hospital stays.
"Purchasing a pet is one option. Caring for a pet can help patients to recover faster. They feel less isolated and undertake increased activity."
The idea of using pets to improve health is not entirely new.
The charity Pets as Therapy (PAT) already owns 3,500 dogs and 90 cats and covers the UK visiting patients in hospitals.
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