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GPs "would prescribe pets" to improve patient health
Elderly person with kitten
The majority of GPs said animals had improved patients' physical conditions.
Majority of family doctors say pets improve patients' mental and physical conditions

An overwhelming majority of family doctors and GPs say animals have improved their patients' physical condition, mental health and mood, according to the results of a new survey.

The online survey was the first of its kind to examine doctors' views and knowledge of the beneficial impact animals can have on human health. It was conducted by the Human Animal Bond Research Initiative (HABRI) in partnership with the Cohen Research Group.

Of the 1,000 doctors who took part, 69 per cent had worked with animals in hospitals, medical centres or practices. The majority said animals improved patients' physical condition (88 per cent), mental health (97 per cent), mood or outlook (98 per cent) and relationships with staff (76 per cent).

"Doctors and their patients really understand the human health benefits of pets and they are putting that understanding into practice," said HABRI executive director Steven Feldman.

Almost all (97 per cent) believe there are health benefits to owning a pet and three-quarters of the respondents said they had seen improvements in the overall health of at least one of their patients as a result of becoming a pet owner.

Many GPs had recommended a patient get a pet and almost three-quarters of them said they would "prescribe" pets to patients if medical evidence supported it.

"Time constraints" were reported as one of the major obstacles to discussing with patients the benefits of pets, however.

Mr Feldman added: "The science shows that pets can help with a wide range of health conditions - from heart health to depression to post traumatic stress disorder.

"HABRI hopes that this survey will help to break down the barriers and get more doctors and their patients talking about the important, scientifically-validated health benefits of pets."

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Voting opens for BEVA Council

News Story 1
 Eligible members of BEVA will be able to vote for their Council team until Monday, 17 August 2026. Members will have received an election email on 17 July.

There are five candidates standing for four available places on Council. They are:

  • Alexandre Triguino
  • Angela Jones
  • Beth Bryant
  • Holly Rees
  • Hugh Somerville
Full profiles for each candidate can be found on the BEVA website. 

Click here for more...
News Shorts
Government releases latest bluetongue statistics

APHA has confirmed the number of bluetongue cases that have been logged in the UK since 1 July 2026.

The total number of BTV-3 cases, as of 6 August, is 187. This includes 183 cases in England and four cases in Wales.

There have been no recorded cases in Scotland and Northern Ireland.

The location of premises in Great Britain where at least one animal has tested positive by PCR for BTV-3, BTV-8 or BTV-12 is available on the bluetongue case map. All livestock keepers in Great Britain are urged to familiarise themselves with nation-specific bluetongue control policies.

Bluetongue virus is a notifiable disease. It is a legal requirement that any suspicions, even if livestock has been vaccinated, are reported immediately.