Flowers could be the answer to cure depressed cats and aggressive dogs, a pet practitioner believes.

Chris Drinkhall, a qualified Bach flower practioner after two years' training, has gone into business treating animals.

Ms Drinkhall, of West Dyke Road, Redcar, east Cleveland, says the difference the 38 Bach flower remedies make to dogs and cats can be "astounding."

The remedies were developed by the late pathologist and bacteriologist Dr Edward Bach, for people with emotional or behavioural problems.

Ms Drinkhall became interested when she began looking for interesting courses to take up.

She said: "To be honest, it amazes me. The remedies really do have astounding effects, almost instantaneous on some animals. You mix the remedies to come up with something for each client. You can get to the problem in animals by observing them and talking to the owner.

"This is complementary treatment and often works with other types of treatment. I would say in 99 per cent of cases it has a positive effect but there is also no chance these flower remedies could cause any harm." She has completed countless case studies on animals through the RSPCA, on one occasion treating both an aggressive dog and his stressed owner, but is thought to be the only Bach practitioner in the North-East tailoring her services for pets.

However, not everyone is so sure of their efficacy. Dr Edzard Ernst, professor of complementary therapy at Exeter University, said the "cures" were all in the mind.

He said: "We completed a scientific test here where we tested the so-called rescue remedy on students experiencing stress leading up to their exams.

"There was no discernible difference in results on students treated with the Bach remedy than from a placebo. A similar test in Germany had similar results.

"Two other tests did show the remedies had a positive effect, but there were serious methodological weaknesses with them."

- Chris Drinkhall can be contacted on (01642) 476945.