By Malina Jeya Palan

KUALA LUMPUR, MALAYSIA: A woman in a wheelchair cuddles a puppy and laughs out loud as it licks her face.

Carol Rasiah was one of a group of people with disabilities visiting the Selangor Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals under its Animal Assisted Therapy (AAT) programme.

Under the programme, people with disabilities will be brought to the SPCA at least once a month to play with the animals.

SPCA president Christine Chin said studies have proven that holding or petting an animal lowers the blood pressure, releases strain and tension and helps lift a person out of loneliness and depression.

"It really does provide good therapeutic benefits for the disabled, and the animals also give them love and devotion" she said.

Rasiah, an avid animal lover who lives alone in a flat, agrees wholeheartedly.

"I love animals. They're adorable. And taking part in this programme means I can come over and play with the animals anytime. I might even take home a pet," she smiled.

Programme joint-organiser, PetPositive chairman Anthony Thanasayan said the AAT programme aims to encourage the disabled to own pets.

"I feel having a pet to look after makes a disabled person feel more 'normal' and less isolated. It provides companionship as well," he said.

AAT helps not only the disabled and the elderly, animal visits to hospital wards help take the mind off one's illness. And it helps children with emotional and speech disorders.

Streets/Asia News Network

This story was first published in Streets on June 28, 2008.