Pets as therapy

[nyapa, RN]

I have often wondered how many institutions practise this. While I have never seen it in action, I have seen guide dogs come into the hospital, and the response from other patients is wonderful. The staff delighted in taking the animal out for toilet breaks during their own breaks...

[elkpark]

The large teaching medical center I work for has a small but active pet therapy program -- it works v. well, as far as I know.

[Granolagirl17]

When I lived in New Orleans my husband and I handled two therapy dogs (they were both retired search and rescue dogs). We visited LTC facilities and the pediatrics ward at my hospital where I worked as an EMT. The residents at the facilities delighted in our visits - sometimes the care staff said that was the only time they would talk - while petting our dogs and telling us about their beloved pets. Disoriented agitated residents would calm down while petting the dog. There were those who didn't want the dogs in their rooms and we knew which rooms to avoid.

The pediatric ward was wonderful - the dogs came to a central area, not in the rooms - for however long we were there, the kids forgot they were attached to an IV pump or whatever was going on in their lives at the time.

I also visited as a safety clown and did magic tricks, etc. I think they liked the dogs better

[donsterRN, ASN, BSN]

I know that the outpatient cancer center at one of our facilities uses pet therapy. I was undergoing chemotherapy throughout much of 2006, and every Thursday I was visited by the most beautiful yellow lab. He would nuzzle against me, and would let me pet his head. He looked so much happier than I'm certain I did! He was just wonderful. He always made me smile, and on my last day of chemo, I got to give the baby a big, big hug of gratitude. The whole experience was made better because of that dog.

[husker_rn, RN]

I work in LTC and we have pet therapy dogs that come in weekly. The response is wonderful; often those who have tuned out of life tune back in briefly when the pets arrive. Have worked at a facility in the past that had adopted the Eden Alternative and we had cats, a dog, rabbit, birds, fish which the residents were responsible for { with staff guidance }. The elders loved it and I wish more places would adopt it.

[HM2VikingRN, RN]

Without a doubt it is beneficial for patients!

[Calgon-take.me.away]

i have been blessed to have the most wonderful dog in my life. he is my german sheperd, sinbad. he is now 9 years old and slowing down a bit, so i do not take him with me to work as much as i used to. he is 125#, black and silver and most amazing animal. he has never had any formal therapy training, but just seems to know when i take him into my ltc's, that he is going to "work"

he stays right by my side, no leash needed. seems to know which residents just need a touch from his muzzle, pushes his nose under their hand as to say "it's okay to pet me"

he is slowing downa bit, and the shiny slick floors scare him, but he still has that healing sense that he possesses.

so, at night, when i come home from a hard night, and he greets me with hugs and kisses, he is my own personal therapy

[donsterRN, ASN, BSN]

i have been blessed to have the most wonderful dog in my life. he is my german sheperd, sinbad. he is now 9 years old and slowing down a bit, so i do not take him with me to work as much as i used to. he is 125#, black and silver and most amazing animal. he has never had any formal therapy training, but just seems to know when i take him into my ltc's, that he is going to "work"

he stays right by my side, no leash needed. seems to know which residents just need a touch from his muzzle, pushes his nose under their hand as to say "it's okay to pet me"

he is slowing downa bit, and the shiny slick floors scare him, but he still has that healing sense that he possesses.

so, at night, when i come home from a hard night, and he greets me with hugs and kisses, he is my own personal therapy

he sounds like a keeper!!! just beautiful.

[BBFRN, BSN, PhD]

When I lived in New Orleans my husband and I handled two therapy dogs (they were both retired search and rescue dogs). We visited LTC facilities and the pediatrics ward at my hospital where I worked as an EMT. The residents at the facilities delighted in our visits - sometimes the care staff said that was the only time they would talk - while petting our dogs and telling us about their beloved pets. Disoriented agitated residents would calm down while petting the dog. There were those who didn't want the dogs in their rooms and we knew which rooms to avoid.

The pediatric ward was wonderful - the dogs came to a central area, not in the rooms - for however long we were there, the kids forgot they were attached to an IV pump or whatever was going on in their lives at the time.

I also visited as a safety clown and did magic tricks, etc. I think they liked the dogs better

I think it's just great that you did this..that's very inspiring! Thanks for sharing. :)

[sunny261]

When my mom was sick and in the hospital there was a dog named Stella that came around the hospital and many patients looked forward to it. I know my mom brightened up and for a short time had something else to talk about besides her illness. I still have the card from the lady who had the dog in my wallet.

[P_RN, ADN, RN]

At my late MIL's nursing home they had a spaniel puppy that the social worker kept in a large playpen in the commons area. The patients just loved it. When he grew so large even though he was still a puppy he had to leave as he could wiggle someone to the floor. She bought another puppy so the folks could still enjoy "their" dog. It was great.

When I thought my old dog was dying (he didn't) I lay on the floor with him all night crying my eyes out. They sure attach themselves to us don't they?

[Elvish, BSN, DNP, RN, NP]

Sort of along this line:

When I was a noob of about 6mo - working on a medsurg floor - we had a pt with multiple morbidities as well as depression issues who was just not getting better. Her doc wrote an order for her dog (cocker spaniel) to visit her. That was pretty unusual in those days at that hospital.

He came up and endeared himself to the whole staff. Her face lit up. He stayed for a good couple hours, and his visit made all the difference in the world. She started getting better and soon went home. I saw her a few years later and she looked great.

I have seen it on peds (family members in the hospital) and think it is really as good as any medicine out there.