Mr Xie Yao Quan, Member of Parliament for Jurong GRC where the program has also been rolled out, said there is” a lot of data” to display the positive outcomes of animal-assisted treatments.
” There are seniors who are living alone, elders who are socially isolated. However, there are also elders who are looking to make the most of their lives as elders, so I believe programs like this cater to the needs of our elders, he continued.
STUDY ON ANIMAL-ASSISTED Action
The Institute of Mental Health ( IMH), NUS Saw Swee Hock School of Public Health, and Temasek Foundation Foundation, are the partners in the equine program.
Additionally, it is a part of a research looking at how animal-assisted treatments might be incorporated into a larger eldercare structure and how the effects of conversation with horses are being looked at.
” It’s a little beautiful right, to have animals interacting with people? So we are trying to determine whether this is a good value for money, according to Associate Professor Luo Nan of the NUS Saw Swee Hock School of Public Health, who is leading the study group along with Associate Professor Mythily Subramaniam of IMH.
” We try to assess both the changes in well-being, as well as the expenses needed for running the project, and then put these two items together and find out whether this is cost-effective”, he added.
Animals are considered to be delayed and delicate, which makes them perfect for seniors. Those who are worried or anxious may also benefit from their peaceful demeanor.  ,
Small animals, often measuring around 100cm in elevation, are easier to transport, compared with their full-sized colleagues. They can even meet in the nursing homes ‘ weights.  ,
The animals are kept safe by the charity’s professionals who work hard to prevent stress.
” Our horses get checked by doctors quite frequently,” says the company. We also have animal trainers who have normal activities with them, so they have social occasion – we have work-life stability, but would they”, said Equal’s mind of programmes and services Ann Hui Peng.
” When they are not at work, they will also include time to interact with one another”.