National Pet Month: shining a light on pets and older people

Pets and the elderly: enjoying later years together is this year’s National Pet Month theme and we want you, our nation’s pet fans, to get involved.

In the coming weeks we hope to shine a light on the positive impact pets have as we grow older and highlight the need for forever homes for our older pets.

So, if you are a person of later years or have an elderly family member or friend who has an inspiring tale to tell about the wonderful role pets have played and continue to play in their life, then email us at info@turquoisetiger.co.uk and send in some pics of you and your pets. We’d love to hear from you and share your stories on social media and through our blog.

There really are so many wonderful things to say about the positive impact pets can have on an older person’s life and, indeed, society in general.

Did you know?

• Pet owners make fewer visits to their GP – research in Germany showed that those with pets paid 15% fewer visits to their doctor, with dog owning pensioners visiting their doc 21% less than non-dog owners.
• Pets help reduce blood pressure, heart rate and stress – even a simple act such as stroking a pet or watching fish swim in an aquarium lowers anxiety and blood pressure, reducing heart rates even in stressful situations..
• Pets help make us more active – Dog walking, for example, can help reduce obesity which is a £5 billion burden on the NHS each year.
• Pets do wonders for our social lives – In social settings, for instance, owning a dog can lead to more social interaction plus pets can really help reduce feelings of loneliness and isolation.
• Pets have a wonderful role to play as we grow older – Pets in care homes can have a transformative effect on residents, combatting loneliness. Aquariums have been found to improve behaviour in dementia units and when placed in dining rooms have even managed to improve appetites!

During National Pet Month (April 1 – May 4) we will be taking a look at the many organisations that bring pets together with elderly members of the community with incredible results.

Of course it’s not just about what animals can do for us; it’s also about what we can do for them,

At the heart of National Pet Month is our aim to promote responsible pet ownership. The pets with whom we share our lives deserve our very best care so they can remain in the best possible health.

All of our pets need to be cared for and protected from pain, suffering, injury and disease and we work tirelessly with the veterinary profession and other pet care specialists, to ensure our animals live happy and healthy lives alongside their human companions.

If you have a tale to tell which ties into our theme Pets and the elderly: enjoying later years together then please tweet us www.twitter.com/NatPetMonthUK, Facebook us www.facebook.com/NationalPetMonth or email info@turquoisetiger.co.uk and don’t forget to include some pics with your elderly friend or family member with their beloved pet. We look forward to hearing from you!

Agria Pet Insurance and the Medivet Veterinary Partnership are primary sponsors for National Pet Month’s 2015 campaign.

For more information go to www.agriapet.co.uk and www.medivet.co.uk

Follow our sponsors on Facebook www.facebook.com/Agriapetuk and www.facebook.com/MedivetUK and on Twitter www.twitter.com/Agriapetuk and www.twitter.com/Medivet_UK