Health Notes, March 23rd 2008, by Sarah Stacey

A child's best friend: the healing power of pets

No dog lover doubts the healing power of a canine companion. Pet therapy, mainly using dogs, is now well established in scientific research. For instance, American researchers found the joy of petting a puppy prompted apparently immobile old people in residential homes to leave their beds. Dogs can also display an extraordinary empathy for children who are upset in any way, according to staff and pupils at a Devon primary school.

Manor House independent preparatory school near Honiton has 130 pupils, 14 teachers – and Toto, an eight year old, black wavy-coated ‘springador’ (springer spaniel cross labrador), whose official title is ‘school dog’. Mary-Ann Wilmot, who teaches art at the school which she co-owns with her husband Geoffrey, explains how it came about: ‘As our family pet, Toto always came down to school with us and wandered around with the children. She was completely reliable with them. Then, about five years ago when she was three, we noticed her making a beeline for particular children who we knew were going through a tough time emotionally, often because of divorce or illness in the family. She would stand right up against them and just be with them for a little while, which really seemed to comfort them. The first time I dismissed it as coincidence but it went on happening. When they were through the difficult stage, she seemed to lose that specific interest in them.’

Then something more surprising happened. ‘Toto alerted us to a problem we had no idea of,’ says Mary-Ann. ‘She kept going up to one child who we didn’t know was upset. In fact, it turned out this little girl had been through an incident that had made her feel very isolated. Because Toto made such a fuss of her, we probed further and were able to help her deal with the problem.’

When I visited the school recently and talked to a group of children, they told me something fascinating about Toto’s behaviour. Usually, dogs display affection in an extrovert way - bouncing up and down, and often licking people. But the children had noticed Toto behaved differently when they were feeling low. ‘When you’re sad, she sits with you quite quietly and leans right into you’ said Francesca. ‘It really feels like she wants you to know she’s your friend’ agreed Joanne. Others told me that if they were feeling ‘left out’, Toto would amble over to them. They all agreed she made them feel ‘secure’: the word ‘loyal’ kept coming up, too – and ‘good at keeping secrets’.

Teaching assistant Amanda Gibson, wife of headmaster Adam, told me that ‘the impact of Toto was very noticeable when we came to Manor House eight months ago: she makes the children very relaxed and calm, and if any of them is emotionally upset, letting them talk to Toto is very comforting for them.’ Adam Gibson, although initially uncertain about having a school dog – ‘I came from a large state school where everything was governed by regulations and risk assessment’ – feels that Toto’s influence is an integral part of looking after ‘the whole child. In order to learn well, children have first of all to be happy. Having a dog around the school really helps.’

NB It is of course imperative that any animal in this situation is 100 per cent reliable with children.

Bags of sense for your back

Healthy Back Bags – the single strap, tear-drop shaped bags, which are cunningly designed to hang round the contours of your back rather than pulling down your shoulder – are now available in super-light and elegant distressed nylon in gorgeous spring colours: leaf green, bluebell, terracotta and coral. Helen Mirren loves hers: ‘A great bag – utilitarian and chic’. They’re a big favourite with YOU staff, too. From £27 (extra small) to £39 (large), tel: 020 7812 9800, www.thehealthybackbag.co.uk.

Face the risk of HepC

Hepatitis C (Hep C) is a serious viral condition that develops silently over many years. Undiagnosed and untreated, it can cause potentially fatal liver damage. The Hep C awareness campaign ‘FaCe It’ has added an interactive guide to their website, www.hepc.nhs.uk, which can help people assess their risk of carrying the virus. It only takes a few minutes and it might help save your life.

Book of the Week: Potatoes not Prozac (£7.99)

Subtitled ‘How to control depression, food cravings and weight gain’, this important book explains how a biochemical reaction to any food containing sugar affects millions of people, including alcoholics and food-bingers, and gives a simple eating plan to correct sugar sensitivity.