"ormerod" - 1 õppematerjal

Pet therapy

One recent study revealed that there were significantly fewer minor illnesses such as colds, backaches and stomach problems among adults after they had acquired a pet. "It is difficult to know if they became healthier as a result of acquiring their pet, but they certainly perceived themselves to be so,” the researcher said.  There is no real explanation however, for why animals can change people in various ways. Elizabeth Ormerod, who is spearheading a campaign to introduce pets into a Scottish prison, has watched the effect of animals on prisoners. "Animals help to dispel tension,” she says. The Scottish prisons that have some involvement with animals report fewer disturbances as well as better relationships between staff and prisoners. "Caring for a pet encourages compassion and reverence for life," says Ormerod. "You could call it humane education.”