Family pets speed hospitalised kids’ recovery

Sick children required to spend time in hospital miss many things – family, schoolfriends, their favourite toys scattered around their messy and familiar bedroom at home.

Often, though, it’s the family pet who they long for the most.

Now, young patients undergoing treatment at Sydney’s Children's Hospital at Westmead can benefit from the unconditional love of their beloved pets.

The hospital has opened NSW's first pet park.

A partnership between the Petbarn Foundation and the Sydney Children’s Hospitals Foundation, the initiative provides a dedicated safe and secured outdoor area where children can reunite with their pets on hospital grounds.

Petbarn Foundation manager Janelle Bloxsom said being away from their family pet can be one of the hardest parts of any young patients healing journey.

“Pets offer special comfort, especially to a sick child wanting to cuddle their furry friend,” said Ms Bloxsom.

“It is our hope that the pet park will help reunite sick children with their pet, providing a familiar sense of home during their hospital stay.”

The CEO of the Sydney Children’s Hospitals Foundation, Kristina Keneally, said research has shown that having pets can boost healing and provide a range of physical, psychological and social health benefits for both children and adults.

These range from increased morale, self confidence and self-esteem to reduced loneliness and stress.

“Every child in hospital is a childhood on hold,” said Ms Keneally.

“No child deserves to go through this, but those who do, deserve our all.”

Ms Keneally said kids undergoing treatment – especially those in hospital for extended periods of time – don’t dream of the extraordinary.

“They dream of being able to do ordinary, everyday things like playing in a park with their family pet.”

A second pet park is planned for Sydney Children’s Hospital at Randwick.

More information

Pets with Purpose: Protecting pets in times of crisis