TOP DOGS (and a pony!) WELCOMED AT WESTMINSTER Animals are good to us – be good to them

Assistance animals took their good news story all the way to Westminster on May 3rd, when they met MPs and Peers at a reception held in the House of Commons. The animals joined representatives of animal charities, health and welfare organisations to highlight the positive contribution that assistance animals and pets make to the lives of so many people, and to emphasise that we need to repay them by treating them with kindness and respect and keeping them healthy.

The reception was hosted by the chairman of the Associate Parliamentary Group for Animal Welfare (APGAW) Eric Martlew MP, and co-ordinated by the National Office of Animal Health (NOAH). . Numerous research studies have proved the health benefits of owning an animal, and they are increasingly being employed in hospitals, care homes and the homes of people with long term illness or disabilities. The psychological, practical and health benefits to the patient translate into financial savings for the treasury as animal companions can significantly reduce social care costs.

In his opening remarks Mr Martlew drew the attention of MPs to the benefit that animals give to society – and showed how they can save the Treasury money too. “The provision of a Canine Partner can create a significant reduction in social care costs - as the average number of hours/week in care can be reduced from approximately15 - 20 to approximately 5. This equates in effect to a saving in the Government’s social care bill of approximately £3.1M,” he explained.

Among the guests were the undoubted stars of this year’s Crufts, 13-year old Daniel George and his chocolate Labrador Yogi, who won the Friends for Life competition. Dogs for the Disabled gave Yogi to Daniel who suffers from Duchennes Muscular Dystrophy some 18 months ago, and Daniel describes him as his “guardian angel”.

Flossy, a 20-year old skewbald pony represented Riding for the Disabled, with her 9 year old rider Michael Murphy, and numerous friendly Labradors and Retrievers were joined, amongst others, by a Lhaso Apso and a Border Collie.

Chief Executive of NOAH Phil Sketchley was delighted with the response. “Politicians from all parties recognise the human and financial benefits that working and relaxing with animals can bring to people. Millions of animals across the country play a part in improving the quality of human life. It is our duty to ensure that we repay the debt we owe them by providing them with proper care in the form of good preventive healthcare and regular vaccination.”

Charities and organisations attending the event are:
National Office for Animal Health (NOAH)
Associate Parliamentary Group for Animal Welfare (APGAW)
Association of Chartered Physiotherapists in Therapeutic Riding
British Veterinary Association – Animal Welfare Association
Canine Partners
Dogs for the Disabled
Dogs Trust
The Feline Advisory Bureau
The Guide Dogs for the Blind Association
Hearing Dogs Deaf People
The Kennel Club
National Equine Welfare Council
National Pet Week
Personal Assistance Dogs
Pets as Therapy
Riding for the Disabled Association Incorporating Carriage Driving
The Royal Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals
The Society for Companion Animal Studies
Support Dogs

Did you know…….
• Over 50% of households in the UK (over 11 million) own one or more companion animal. Cats are the most popular with 9.2 million, with dogs second with 6.5 million.
• Tests have revealed that stroking dogs and cats can lower your blood pressure and heart rate.
• Psychiatrists will often prescribe the adoption of a pet to combat depression, inactivity, neurosis and stress.
• Today, in the UK alone, more than 4,700 working guide dogs are helping blind and partially sighted people lead independent lives, and almost 1,200 hearing dogs have been placed with deaf or hearing impaired people.
• Dogs are also trained to help people with physical disabilities. They can be trained to help with a variety of everyday tasks. In Europe more than 1,000 such service dogs are allowing physically disabled people to lead more independent lives.
• Horses are used to treat people with a wide variety of problems, including mental and physical disabilities. This is now a medically prescribed procedure.
• Assistance animals save the Treasury money! For example, the provision of a Canine Partner can create a significant reduction in social care costs – as the average number of hours/week in care can be reduced from approximately 15-20 to approximately 5. This equates to a saving to the Government’s social care bill of approximately £3.1M

5 May 2006

Notes for Editors

For further information contact Phil Sketchley or Alison Glennon at NOAH, tel. +44 (0)20 8367 3131, or visit the NOAH website.
The National Office of Animal Health was formed on 1 January 1986 to represent the UK companies which research, develop, manufacture and market licensed animal health products. The association has 32 corporate members and 10 associate members. In 2004 NOAH's members accounted for well over 90% of the £398 million UK animal health market