- Patients at Priory’s Ticehurst Hospital in East Sussex held and observed owls close-up
- The session had a calming effect on patients, helping them focus on the moment, restore attention and alleviate stress
- The occupational therapy team regularly uses animal-assisted therapy
Patients at a mental health hospital were introduced to rescue owls as part of a therapy session aimed at reducing stress and anxiety.
Ten patients took part in the session which involved an eagle owl, a little owl and a tawny owl from www.owlsabouttown.co.uk
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.
Andy Kendall, from owlsabouttown.co.uk, guided each patient with calmness and knowledge of the owls. Patients were able to stroke and hold them and learn about them first-hand. Each owl has been rescued from human ownership, including where they have been acquired as pets and people cannot manage them. Patients were told about 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.
“These experiences are very touching at times, seeing the joy on people’s faces when they interact with such majestic creatures,” Andy said.
The calming effect helped patients focus on the moment, which in turn helped them divert attention away from stress-related thoughts.
Priory Ticehurst House Hospital is located in Ticehurst in East Sussex. It provides treatment for a wide range of mental health challenges, including depression, anxiety and stress, as well as outpatient support for eating disorders and addictions. The hospital is managed by Priory, the UK’s leading independent provider of mental health services.
Andrew Willcocks, Hospital Director, said, “Our occupational therapists and specialists always use innovative ideas as part of treatment. The patients derived so much from this interesting session.”
