Hello,

I am currently assisting a client with a DHP appeal.

HB are not accepting that £25 pw expenditure on dog owning and training as reasonable expenditure.

My client has severe mental health issues and her dogs assist her mental wellbeing and help her to combat social isolation. The dogs are an essential part of her life and without them her mental health would undoubtedly deteriorate. She has been supported by the Community Mental Health Team for a number of years, and it was her Community Psychiatric Nurse who recommended she take up this activity.

Does anyone else have any experience of a similar case, or could anyone provide further information on what is "reasonable expenditure"?

Many thanks in advance.

No experience of anything exactly the same, but in similar situations I have usually found that a letter from the CPN or social worker does the trick.

Thanks for your reply, 1964.

I would hope that a letter would do the trick too, but they've already had them... I'll just have to get a stronger one!

I recently got a DHP for someone who had a non dependant deduction made in respect of her mother.

Her mother is very ill and gets attendance allowance plus pension guarentee credit includeing the enhanced disability premium, the tenant gets IS as a sigle parent plus the carer premium.

I argued for a DHP on grounds that they are spending £650 a month on average on Chinese medicines.

The DHP was turned down but granted on appeal.

Hi i remember our Trust magazine did an article based on a study of pets positive or life saving impact on peoples mental health at one the CMHT's.
I'll email a relevant consultant (he really waxed lyrical about what he saw was the crucial role/impact of pets and see if i can dig something up and send it to you.
andy

Hi andy

That would be really useful, thanks. I have been searching online to find relevant research into/articles about the positive impact of pets as therapy, but haven't found anything so far the really fits the bill.

I've emailed the Doctor concerned but he's away until 2/9/2004,so left a message for a friendly care manager to get back to me.

HI, hope this is not to late late, i've got a copy of the article which i can email you

Hi Andy

That would be great, thanks.

e-mail is:

tannith.howard@chaskirklees.org.uk