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Living with a pet can be really good for our health and wellbeing. However, concern about what will happen to a much loved dog, cat or budgie can lead to people refusing medical treatment or leaving hospital sooner than they should.

Refusing treatment can lead to their condition worsening, mean they need longer and more complex care from the NHS and hinder their chance of making a good recovery.

A new social enterprise in North East Lincolnshire has been set up to take away the worry and ensure people are more likely to accept the treatment or care they need by offering a reliable and affordable pet sitting service.

The Pet Sitting Service is the brainchild of Foresight, a local organisation that offers services to disabled and vulnerable members of the community, and is supported by NHS North East Lincolnshire Clinical Commissioning Group. It has come about after healthcare professionals highlighted the problem of (often elderly) people refusing treatment or care because they have no one to look after their pet.

A raft of caring volunteers has been recruited to pet sit while the owner is receiving care or treatment and also to walk dogs to enable patients to continue to enjoy the benefits of living with their pet while they are recovering at home.

People can be referred by their healthcare professional or social worker or patients and carers can contact the service directly by calling Foresight on 01472 269666 or by email info@foresight-nelincs.co.uk.