Doc. 10628

30 June 2005

Promoting the social, psychological and emotional benefits of animals for handicapped and ageing people

Motion for a resolution

presented by Mr Hancock and others

Animals can be of great benefit emotionally, psychologically and socially for people with handicaps - both mental and physical. The therapeutic effect of companion animals on people who live with a wide range of illnesses and disabilities is widely recognised and they can also provide assistance with daily activities. People with pets report social, physical and emotional improvements.

The social benefits of encouraging people to keep pets are, amongst other things, that they help give a greater sense of interaction with strangers. Having a pet permits people to relate to themselves and to others. Children with pets demonstrate increased ability to care and nurture

The physical and mental benefits are numerous. It has been proven that blood pressure goes down. Coronary heart-disease patients who have pets have higher survival rates. Physical therapy patients with pets show improved balance, coordination, muscular capacity and language ability. Children exposed to pets at home are less likely to develop allergies. The effect on cognitive performance of children with mental disabilities ie dolphin therapy has been proven to increase psychological well being. Rehabilitation of people with neurological impairment is aided by animal therapy

Perhaps the most profound benefits of having a pet at home are found to be emotional. Many people show a greater sense of well-being and less anxiety. People are more motivated to exercise and fight depression. Elderly people report greater satisfaction with life and benefit immensely from the companionship. Preteens with pets show increased emotional reciprocity and sense of responsibility. A couple of very concrete examples of the benefit of possessing an animal can be found through a survey of AIDS sufferers in US. Being perceived as socially acceptable increases a person’s self-esteem and for 40% of people with AIDS, pets are perceived as a major source of support and ability to deal with stress. Also for Alzheimer sufferers pets alleviate loneliness and emotional isolation, increase communication and social interaction.

Thus the potential role of pets in the prevention of disease and the role in the promotion of psychological and emotional wellbeing should be encouraged.

Signed (see overleaf)

Signed ¹:

HANCOCK, Michael, United Kingdom, ALDE

ALAY FERRER, Vicenç, Andorra, SOC

COX, Thomas, United Kingdom, SOC

DUPRAZ, John, Switzerland, ALDE

FERNÁNDEZ-CAPEL, Blanca, Spain, EPP/CD

HUSS, Jean, Luxembourg, SOC

LINDINGER, Ewald, Austria, SOC

MARQUET, Bernard, Monaco, ALDE

McCAFFERTY, Chris, United Kingdom, SOC

RIGONI, Andrea, Italy, EPP/CD

WOHLLEBEN, Verena, Germany, SOC

¹        SOC: Socialist Group

      EPP/CD: Group of the European People’s Party

      ALDE: Alliance of Liberals and Democrats for Europe

      EDG: European Democratic Group

      UEL: Group of the Unified European Left

      NR: not registered in a group