Maybe Dylan should go back to work on Maggie’s farm.
Time down on the farm with animals could provide some therapeutic benefit for people with mental illness, according to researchers. The results come from the first randomised controlled study of the benefits of farm animals, as opposed to domestic pets.
Bente Berget and Bjarne Braastad of the Norwegian University of Life Sciences, working with Øivind Ekeberg of the University of Oslo, Norway, note that the benefits of animal-assisted therapy (AAT) for mental disorders using cats and dogs has been well studied. However, until now, there have been no controlled trials of farm animals in treating psychiatric disorders.
The use of farms in promoting human mental and physical health in cooperation with health authorities is increasing in Europe and the USA, particularly under the Green care banner. Historically, the approach was associated with hospitals, psychiatric departments and other health institutions but today, most Green care projects involve community gardens, city farms, allotment gardens and farms.
I believe that we have at least one Doper here who knows well the “theraputic” effects of “working” with animals.
but… why be sane when insanity is so much funner?! =D
good lord… it’s all a conspiracy! I’m already practically living at the SO’s place in the country - next thing I know we’ll have a dozen cats, (we already share 3 outdoor dogs), a pot belly pig, a cow or two, sheep, chickens, and (gasp) an osterich?!
