The Tuscana, in northern Italy, has extended to the entire region a proposal that allows pets to enter health institutions, such as hospitals and clinics, to visit their owners undergoing treatment.
The experience, which began as a pilot project last November within the structures of the Local Health Authority (ASL) operating in the south-east of Tuscany, is based on the principle that dogs, cats and other pets, in addition to being members of the family, can contribute to the physical and mental well-being of patients.
It is now up to healthcare institutions to define access procedures during visiting hours, and they must also share their internal regulations with the local veterinary service. To authorize the entry of pets, the patients' conditions must also be taken into account.
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In general terms, Tuscany has defined some rules, including a veterinary certificate issued less than a month before the date of the visit, confirming the animal's good health, along with the absence of worms and parasites.
According to the region's governor, Eugenio Giani, the entry of pets into clinics and hospitals “is an opportunity that reinforces our commitment to a health system that is increasingly closer to the population's needs”.
“Health does not just mean the absence of disease. It also includes physical, mental and social well-being, and it is scientifically proven that contact with pets provides significant benefits during treatment,” Giani emphasized.
Scientific studies, which used dogs in the experiment, showed that interaction with furry friends increased the concentration of oxytocin, decreased cortisol levels and reduced the risk of heart disease. (HANDLE)
