We are always immensely grateful to organisations that make grants to Beaumond House.
The Thoresby Charitable Trust are loyal supporter of the hospice and have consistently enabled us to enrich our provision to patients over the years. Their generosity has meant that we have been able to develop animal therapy.
Animal assisted therapy brings with it comfort and creates a sense of community. It also helps to reduce blood pressure, improve cardiovascular health and lighten pain. Just by stroking an animal, patients can quickly feel relaxed.
Other benefits include not feeling bored, and better rested. Some patients tell us of having an improved appetite which is always good to hear. From our perspective, we see patients become much more conversational.
We’re always looking for new ways to enhance a patient’s experience with us and especially when they tell us they are feeling low. According to the British Medical Council, Hospice UK and The British Association for Counselling and Psychotherapy, animals therapy has a unique ability to promote laughter.
I think we all can agree on that. Every animal that comes to us is trained in therapy work and have carried out many tasks and tests before becoming qualifi ed, but they have to have a good temperament as a starting point. A good therapy animal doesn’t react to startling sounds, can cope with crowds and enjoys meeting new people.
Most are given assignments before reaching accreditation. I can recall one instance where a pony had to queue in the busy marketplace to buy carrots without bending to temptation. She passed!
If you are a Trustee of a Trust or Foundation and would be interested in supporting the hospice in some way, we would love to hear from you. Please contact Elaine Smith, Trusts and Foundations Fundraising Manager on 01636 610556 or email.
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