Patients at Priory’s Ticehurst Hospital in East Sussex recently took part in a session to hold and observe owls close-up, getting to meet an eagle owl, a little owl and a tawny owl.
The patients were introduced to rescue owls as part of a therapy session aimed at reducing stress and anxiety. The session had a calming effect on the participants, helping them focus on the moment and restore attention, diverting it away from stress-related thoughts.
Pets as Therapy (PAT) dogs are regular visitors to the hospital and, at community meetings, patients suggested they wanted more engagement with animals. The Priory hospital’s occupational therapy team suggested owls, which are commonly revered for symbolising wisdom, intelligence and endurance.
Patients were able to stroke and hold the rescue owls, and learn about them first-hand including the owls’ interesting characteristics, habitats and how they are looked after. Experts believe such sessions are particularly beneficial for people with mental health conditions as well as older people and those suffering with memory issues, such as dementia.
Priory is the UK’s leading independent provider of mental health services. It treats more than 70 conditions including depression, anxiety, addictions and eating disorders, as well as children’s mental health, across its nationwide network of sites. It is part of MEDIAN, one of Europe’s leading providers of high-quality mental health and medical rehabilitative services, which is also participating in the management of patients who have experienced symptoms of Covid-19, and/or suffered with Long Covid. It is sharing its knowledge and expertise globally via its information website for medical professionals and Covid-19/Long Covid patients.
Image from Pixabay.
Owl Colouring Book: Adult Stress Relief, Relaxation and Escape
£3.99
Owls Adult Colouring Book: A Calming Colouring Book for Adults
£3.99
Discover Animals is a small team dedicated to bringing you the latest conservation and nature news. If you enjoy our content, please support our work with a donation from as little as £1.
