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On 20 February it’s National Love Your Pet Day, which is a day to celebrate the bond between animals and humans, and is an opportunity to make a fuss of your pets and show them how much you appreciate them.
It’s well known that animals can have a therapeutic benefit for humans. Stroking, handling and walking animals can improve motor skills. For example, if you are walking with a dog you may walk further than you would otherwise have done. The companionship that forms between a pet and an owner may give people more confidence to access their communities and socialise. Both of which can also improve mental health and quality of life. What’s more, in order for animals to continue supporting humans in this way, the animals need to be cared for, and this in itself can give pet owners a sense of responsibility and add structure to their lives.
For some individuals with personal injury claims, the accidents they have been involved in, and the injuries that they have suffered as a result of these, can be life changing. For example, individuals may no longer be able to work, they may be housebound etc. In these circumstances, having a therapy animal may help individuals to adapt to the new normal more easily.
In personal injury claims, the compensation that a client may receive can be made up of two different types of damages; general damages and special damages. General damages are compensation for the injuries an individual has suffered and special damages are compensation for the consequential loss arising from the injuries, such as financial losses. In circumstances where there is strong expert evidence to suggest that an individual would benefit from having a pet as part of their rehabilitation, the cost of the animal, training, vets bills, insurance and food etc may be able to be included as part of their claim.
If you have any personal injury matters that you would like to discuss, please get in touch.
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