Latest news with #animaltherapy
The Independent
30-05-2025
- General
- The Independent
Kyiv piglet cafe provides rare moment of calm for residents under Russia's bombardment
This Kyiv cafe is providing a rare moment of calm for Ukrainians under Russia 's bombardment by allowing visitors to unwind with a group of adorable piglets. Creating a spot for piglet therapy was Denys Davydenko and his wife Yuliia's idea, who returned from France after fleeing the war. The piglets named Peppa, Duo, Batman, Gucci, Chanel, Bombombini-Parosini, and Ray are just eight weeks old and weigh up to three kilograms. Guests say their little grunts and affection offer much-needed comfort and distraction from the ongoing conflict. The piglets, who snack on their favourite treats of strawberries and cucumbers, even have passports issued by veterinary authorities, allowing them to leave Ukraine if the security situation worsens.
BBC News
14-05-2025
- Health
- BBC News
Lister Hospital's animal therapy team shortlisted for award
An animal therapy team at a Hertfordshire hospital has been shortlisted for a Time To Shine award for the work it does improving the wellbeing of patients and team at the Lister Hospital in Stevenage regularly calls upon 15 dogs and two ponies, provided by charities, to calm people's fears and boost work is being recognised in the annual awards run by the East and North Hertfordshire NHS Trust, after being nominated by the Curry, who was recently discharged from the hospital after a two-week stay, said "seeing the dogs was always a highlight", adding "they're a fluffy hug when you really need a fluffy hug". Sagen Zac-Varghese, a consultant in diabetes and endocrinology, said the benefits the animals brought were enormous. "It's impossible to quantify, but the effect these animals have on wellbeing is plain to see," she said.A patient on ward 10 - Ken - who was visited by volunteer Lesley Cross and her dog Rosie, told the BBC: "My mental health was on the floor at the time and Rosie helped me to feel so much more positive about my situation." The Lister works with three animals charities - Pets As Therapy, Therapy Dogs Nationwide and Canine Concern. Jane Shaw, who manages the therapy team, said all the animals were assessed to make sure they had the right temperament - and once they were in, the work was incredibly rewarding."I've seen dogs bring a sense of calm to difficult situations which has meant that tests can be carried out, or physio can be completed. It's wonderful to see," she said. Dawn Sheldrick, who has been volunteering at the hospital for almost 11 years, said the rewards were endless."I bring my Saluki with me. I love the work and we regularly go to the children's ward where I give them photos of [dog] Zanzibar. "When I'm out and about in Stevenage, I'll often get a child telling me they've got a picture of him on their fridge at home. I know that what we're doing is making a difference."The trust's awards ceremony takes place in July. Follow Beds, Herts and Bucks news on BBC Sounds, Facebook, Instagram and X.
Yahoo
12-05-2025
- Yahoo
News13 Exclusive: Loris farm owner says kangaroo, brother had close bond at time of man's death
HORRY COUNTY, S.C. (WBTW) — In recent weeks, Eric Slate gave up going to the gym or other hobbies that his family were accustomed to. Instead, he'd spend almost every day at 5-Star Farm working with its camels, donkeys and other animals — overjoyed at the interactions and love they shared. 'He would get up, spend all day out here. Since me and my business partner split, Eric's been my rock … I think this was really good therapy for him,' Eric's brother Robert told News13 in an exclusive interview on Sunday. Eric, 52, died sometime between 8:15 p.m. and 11 p.m. Friday in an enclosure occupied by Jack, a 4-year-old red kangaroo. The Horry County Coroner's Office said Eric was found with 'multiple blunt injuries,' sparking online speculation that he may have been killed by the marsupial. In less than 24 hours, the story had made international headlines. Robert disputes claims of an attack, hoping an autopsy planned for later this week will provide more answers. He said Eric had been complaining of chest pains in the days leading up to his death. His body also had several abrasions and other marks, but nothing that would indicate the brutality of a kangaroo attack, Eric said. But it was another detail that convinced Eric his brother didn't meet a violent end. 'When I found my brother, he had a smile on his face. Ultimately, I feel — and my mother feels — my brother was happy, and my brother was doing what he loved. And I'm not going to let anyone take that from us,' Robert said. Jack had arrived at Robert's property just two weeks from another farm. Kangaroos are famously strong, and Jack was no different. But he's also friendly, curious and social, Robert said. 'Eric loved Jack. Him and Jack were really good friends. They played a lot,' Robert said. 'Jack wants to eat out of your hands, he wants to put his paws on your chest to hold him up.' Robert said he and Eric spoke about overstimulation and being too aggressive — and neither man was with their animals, he added. 'I can say that Jack would come up and Eric would scratch his belly. Eric would jump around, and Jack would jump around,' he said. As Robert spoke, Jack hopped behind him. The animal remains quarantined on the farm as the investigation into Eric's death continues. 'Aggressiveness, I don't see it. Horry County didn't see it either, or he wouldn't be here,' Robert said. 'There was no blunt force as people are reporting.' Robert said kangaroo experts are likely to inspect Jack and his surroundings in the coming days, but he's hopeful the animal won't be removed or destroyed. 'Myself and my other, we know that Eric's wishes would have been for Jack to stay here. I don't feel — nor my mother feels — in any way that this was intentionally done by Jack. * * * Adam Benson joined the News13 digital team in January 2024. He is a veteran South Carolina reporter with previous stops at the Greenwood Index-Journal, Post & Courier and The Sun News in Myrtle Beach. Adam is a Boston native and University of Utah graduate. Follow Adam on X, formerly Twitter, at @AdamNewshound12. See more of his work here. * * * Skylar Musick is a multimedia journalist at News13. Skylar is originally from Long Island, New York. She joined the News13 team in June 2024 after graduating from Villanova University in May 2024. Follow Skylar on X, formerly Twitter, Facebook, or Instagram, and read more of her work here. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
