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Meet the therapy LIZARD who helps people improve their mental wellbeing

"People aren't sure what to expect from a lizard. At first people are fascinated but don't really want to go near him."

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Taz, a black and white Tegu, during a weekly sessions. (Tom Maddick via SWNS)

By Sophie Watson via SWNS

A disability charity is offering therapy sessions with a 3ft LIZARD to help improve mental wellbeing - despite admitting many people are scared of the giant reptile at first.

Taz, a black and white Tegu, which are native to the tropical rainforests of South America, is believed to be Britain's first ever therapy lizard.

Disability Support, based in Nottingham, has been using the unusual creature to help its users relax and unwind instead of traditional therapy dogs and horses.

They say two-year-old Taz provides a unique sensory experience - once people have got over their fears of stroking a one meter long lizard.

CEO Charlotte Throssel, 42, introduced the reptile two months ago as part of unique weekly sessions in mindfulness for disabled people and their carers.

She said the idea began as a joke at first but the response to their "therapy lizard sessions" had been really positive so far.

Taz, a black and white Tegu, during a weekly sessions. (Tom Maddick via SWNS)
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“I haven’t heard of many places that have therapy lizards. I think we’re quite unique," said Charlotte, of Nottingham.

"We know that dogs and cats and other therapy animals can lower blood pleasure and elevate mental health so I think Taz can do the same.

"People aren't sure what to expect from a lizard. At first people are fascinated but don't really want to go near him.

"Then they get their courage up and stroke him and you can see the joy in their faces. He just helps everyone to really chill out.

“People are still quite apprehensive about him but anyone is welcome to come down and have a taster session.

"It’s quite a sensory experience because no part of his body feels quite the same.

“Taz is a very mesmerizing creature. He has that effect on people and helps to give people a short focus and get rid of all their thoughts.

“As a mindfulness experience, he is perfect for that.

“At first, we joked about introducing a therapy lizard to our services because Taz was so calming and relaxing.

“We then put some publicity out about Taz and said he was available for sessions, and we had a really good turnout at his introductory session.

“People started to then request to see him and it has just snowballed from there."

Disability Support Nottingham was opened by Charlotte in 2018. The organization supports all disabled people and carers.

“We support people with long-term health conditions, mental health conditions, physical and visual impairments, hearing loss, anything that comes under the umbrella of disability," she said.

“We also support carers. Sometimes we have carers come for respite and they really value that time to have a break from their responsibilities.

“We care for anyone that is 16 and older. Most of our clients though are aged between 30 to 70. Our eldest client, before she passed away, was 104 years old.

“At the end of the day there is a real need for support out there.

“Since Covid, disabled people have found themselves marginalized more than usual. Our service is high in demand at the moment.

“Anyone is welcome to come down and have a look and have a taster session with Taz and we are looking to introduce other types of therapy animals in the future."

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