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Childhood pets ‘increase ability to cope with adulthood stress’
More than 29 million Brits (55 per cent) believe pets can help children build stronger coping mechanisms.

Survey shows how pets can help children build stronger coping mechanisms

Owning a pet during childhood can help increase ability to cope with stressful situations in adulthood, according to new research.

Figures published by the National Office of Animal Health (NOAH) show that more than 29 million Brits (55 per cent) believe pets can help children build stronger coping mechanisms.

More than 2,000 people responded to the survey, which aimed to find out how companion animals can improve wellbeing. Of these, 98 per cent said that, despite the care needed, they wouldn’t be more stressed by having a pet during times of difficulty.

Around half of the respondents (52 per cent) agreed that pets helped lift their mood during times of distress and upset. One in five pet owners (20 per cent) said they would be most likely to turn to their pets for comfort.


NOAH Chief Executive Dawn Howard comments: “Mental health has a huge impact on the quality of our lives. Stress is a part of this: it is a normal part of life, yet at times we may become overwhelmed and our mental health can suffer.


“It’s reassuring to see the importance that pets play in helping us through difficult times. Our new research shines a light on how companion animals can help our wellbeing. There is no denying that pets have a hugely positive impact on people – more than two-fifths of the population (45 per cent) even said that pets fill a space in a family that they didn’t know they had!”


The survey also revealed that the positive impact of pets on mental health is strongly supported. Almost two in five UK adults said that having a pet gave them confidence. 


Some 67 per cent of respondents also said that having a pet provides companionship and friendship. 

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Vets to run marathon for World Animal Protection

News Story 1
 Two recently graduated veterinary surgeons will be running the London Marathon in April to raise money for the charity World Animal Protection.

Alex Bartlett and Maeve O'Neill plan to run the race together if they are given the same start times.

Dr O'Neill said: "You're always limited in what you can do to help animals, so it is nice to raise money for a charity that helps animals around the world."

Dr Bartlett added: "I have never run a marathon before and am excited to run my first one for such a good cause!"

Both Dr Bartlett and Dr O'Neill have fundraising pages online. 

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News Shorts
BSAVA releases new Guide to Procedures

The British Small Animal Veterinary Association (BSAVA) has published a new edition of its Guide to Procedures for Small Animal Practice.

It has added four new procedures; cystostomy tube placement, endotracheal intubation, point-of-care ultrasound and wet-to-dry dressings.

BSAVA says that it is an essential step-by-step guide to diagnostic and therapeutic procedures performed in practice. The textbook includes new images and illustrations, as well as high-definition videos for use prior to procedures.

Nick Bexfield and Julia Riggs, editors of the new edition, said: "We have built upon the success of the previous editions by responding to the feedback received from the BSAVA readership, and hope this new guide helps to further increase the confidence and accuracy with which these procedures are performed."

Print copies are available in the BSAVA store, with a digital version in the BSAVA library.