I have M.E. so I'm not getting out much. I really miss having a pet. I don't have any friends who have any pets, and my parents don't want to commit to buying a pet as I'm not able to look after it very much - in terms of cleaning out or walking. I really want a little companion who will give me unconditional love. I can't talk alot, and on a recent visit to a local animal centre, i had the best time just sitting and feeding a rabbit daisies. sounds silly, but just wondering if theres such a thing as having a pet to come visit me for a few hours a week? I just find their company really therapeutic.
2006-07-02 23:47:50 · 14 answers · asked by Vix 3 in Pets ➔ Other - Pets
I cant work/volunteer at a shelter - I'm practically house bound.
2006-07-04 01:22:08 · update #1
Pet therapy is now widely accepted as being beneficial for you health, I googled for pet therapy and came up with this lot. I sincerely hope you can find somewhere local to get involved, and I hope your parents will eventually come round.
Pet therapy is especially helpful with conditions such as M.E. where your emotional well being can help or hinder your physical health.
Some animal centers do short term foster care; they provide all the equipment, feed and veterinary care, and you may be helping someone out who has to go to hospital. Maybe your parents could eventually be persuaded to help you do this?
Best of luck to you.
2006-07-03 01:35:15 · answer #1 · answered by sarah c 7 · 7⤊ 2⤋
In the US, there are organizations for people who train their pets (usually very calm breeds of dogs) for visiting nursing homes, orphan homes, and care centers for the elderly. Visits from animal friends can mean a great deal to all of those folks, and the pet owners find it very rewarding.
You should ask at your local animal shelter, and also at the type of facilities I listed above. If any of them know about such a program in your country, then you could probably participate. All it takes is a willing volunteer, and that is what they do already. If that fails, then you might be able to find an elderly single pet owner living nearby who would be willing to share a bit.
Good luck, and I hope you start feeling better.
2006-07-03 00:10:09 · answer #2 · answered by pondering_it_all 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Hey Vix
Pet therapy is something i've promoted a long time ago! And as no one wanted to know then ... I brought my own dog to visit nursing homes and the joy it gave some of their residents !! Made a few owners decide to then take on a pet for the home!!!
I don't know if you're in the UK or the USA But if in the UK contact the MS association. Tell them how you feel and they'll be able to help you. If not in the UK then still try your local MS association. If unable to help, i'm sure they'll look it up and find contact numbers for pet therapy.
Best wishes
2006-07-02 23:56:26 · answer #3 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
I am absolutely certain there is. I have often heard of animals being taken to hospitals/hospices and old people's homes for this very reason. Contact your local health service (NHS website should help there) and check with them - probably also worth phoning and local rescue centres and the RSPCA and asking.
Good luck - an old teacher of mine, who is still a friend, has ME (or rather CFS) and I have seen how debilitating it can be.
** I had a little search around and found this online:
"Anyone interested in finding out more about the therapeutic benefits of pets in medical/paramedical work should consider joining SCAS to keep in touch with projects, research and development of standards." and when I followed the link it went to this info page - I think they might be worth a call:
http://www.scas.org.uk/html/membership_contact.htm
The link might be more for professionals wanting to use animals in therapy, but they should be able to point you in the right direction.
Fingers crossed!
2006-07-02 23:53:20 · answer #4 · answered by peggy*moo 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Sorry to hear you're ill. I don't think you can hire animals for this purpose. It wouldn't be good for the animal's psyche would it?
Why don't you and your parents become foster carers for the RSPCA/PDSA ?
What about a smaller caged animal? Wouldn't your parents help with the cleaning out?
I hope you find a solution.
There is an organisation that do what is called PAT pets that visit nursing homes and hospices, try a web search.... :)
2006-07-02 23:56:35 · answer #5 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
It is not a silly question. Animals play a major role in my happiness. I've never heard of a shelter that would let you "borrow" a pet, but I do know you can foster one.
I wish you luck in finding a furry friend.
2006-07-02 23:52:26 · answer #6 · answered by ~Lillith of Eden~ 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I really dont know, but i would call and ask the shelter. THAT sounds like such a good idea. I wish you all the best. star
2006-07-02 23:52:06 · answer #7 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
volunteer at an animal shelter or watch pets for people...then u can spend alot of time with animals!
2006-07-02 23:53:34 · answer #8 · answered by prettygirl 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
dont think so but have you considered being a pet sitter, there are agencies that offer 'homes from home' for pet owners as an alternative to kennels, i beleive you can specify what animals your willing to care for and for what time scale. good luck. whereabouts do you live?
2006-07-02 23:52:01 · answer #9 · answered by sezbobaloula 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
there are a few people who have trained cats and dogs that do come to those who are disabled for that exact reason. the pets become good company look into it. there has to be something like that near you
2006-07-02 23:51:36 · answer #10 · answered by Kittie_Nash 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋