Pet dog helps woman to ease her Parkinson's symptoms

A woman from Bracknell has found that the symptoms of her Parkinson's disease have improved significantly since she began caring for a dog.

Amanda Osborne, 38, has been living with Parkinson's disease for ten years, but looking after her West Highland Terrier Benji has helped ease her depression and increase her mobility, according to an article in the Sun newspaper.

Such has been the improvement in her condition, with better sleeping habits, walking and social abilities, that specialists at Imperial College London are publicising her case around the world.

Ms Osborne told the publication that Benji has adapted to her routine and has a very therapeutic effect.

She told the publication: "We usually go for a walk, and that has been a great help.

"It keeps me mobile and it also gets me out of the house to meet a lot of new people.

Parkinson's UK estimates that around one in every 500 people in the UK is currently living with Parkinson's disease.

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