They say never work with children and animals. Children? Pass. But animals can be a joy and offer us benefits into the bargain. From touch therapy to exercise and companionship, some pets can work wonders for our physical and mental health and others are natural stars…

Be a puppy walker
To experience the joy of living with a dog without the decade-long commitment that ownership involves is to become a puppy walker for the Guide Dogs association. Once you’re accepted as a volunteer, you’re given an eight-week-old guide dog to care for at home. With support from a supervisor, you and your family will be responsible for teaching the puppy basic commands, instilling good habits and getting it used to different environments, sights, sounds and smells. The downside? Once your pup reaches around 12 to 14 months, you’ll have to say goodbye, but knowing that he or she is will give a blind or partially sighted person a new lease of life should soften the blow…For more information on this scheme, visit www.guidedogs.org.uk or call 0118 983 5555

Pet better soon
The calming effect of stroking a furry friend has been well documented: patients who spend time with a therapy dog or cat experience reduced anxiety, stress levels and lower blood pressure. Studies also show that pet owners are more likely to make a good recovery from illnesses such as a heart attack or stroke, again, due to reduced blood pressure levels. There have also been reports to suggest that the dirt animals bring into the house from the outside can be beneficial for humans by boosting levels of antibodies.

Children with autism – who find social interaction difficult – can develop a close bond with a dog that helps make life seem less daunting. Specially trained autism support dogs can transform lives, helping their charges engage with the environment and other people and providing a sense of security in an unfamiliar world. Little wonder then that animals are increasingly being used to treat many conditions, such as addictions, eating disorders and depression. The pets reduce feelings of loneliness, boost self-esteem and encourage patients to communicate better.

Horse power
Equine lovers develop a unique connection with their favourite steed. Riding isn’t confined to the able-bodied, either: people with disabilities can escape their wheelchairs and experience a sense of independence and confidence that only sitting atop a large, powerful animal can instil. Equine therapy can work wonders for people with autism, cerebral palsy and a whole host of other conditions. For more information, contact the Riding for the Disabled Association (www.riding-for-disabled.org.uk) or phone 0845 658 1082

Toto-ly terrific!
at home magazine picked up the dog and bone to South Africa to speak to Rachel Owen, owner of Dangerous Dave, the winning dog from Over the Rainbow, the hit BBC1 show that found a Dorothy for the new Andrew Lloyd Webber musical The Wizard of Oz. Dave, the miniature schnauzer will play young Dorothy’s devoted doggy Toto in a one-off gala performance of the show in March next year.

True champion
Anyone who watched the show will know it was the eyebrows that did it! Dangerous Dave’s inquisitive face was too adorable to resist – he got the children’s vote and even the Lord (Lloyd Webber, that is) described him as ‘terrific!’ But what does owner Rachel, the woman who knows Dave best, think made him win? ‘He’s cute and small – the size Toto should be – plus he was so laidback in all the tasks the dogs had to complete and never got anxious,’ she says. ‘When Dave worked with Danielle [the winning Dorothy] in rehearsals, he looked as if he was about to kiss her!’ adds Rachel.

Taking it in his stride
His kennel name, Dangerous Dave, is a far cry from his temperament. ‘He’s loyal, fun and calm in stressful situations. I think he’ll take his star role in his stride. With those eyebrows even people at the back of the theatre will be able to see it’s Dave – I think he’ll shine as Toto!’ There’s a fair bit of training to be had before Dave takes to the stage but Rachel is confident. ‘As long as he knows what he’s meant to be doing, he’ll be fine. He’ll have to learn to stay in one position on the stage and not wander off.’ And when Rachel has to go off on business trips, who looks after her famous pup? ‘My partner, John, is his main carer,’ she says.

Pictures: getty images