About This Program
Animals can play an important part in the healing process. That's why our therapy dogs "meet and greet" interested patients, visitors and staff members in Franciscan Health hallways, lobbies and patient rooms.
Our pet therapy program aims to positively impact a patient:
- Physical health: Improve fine motor skills, wheelchair skills or standing balance
- Mental health: Increase attention skills and reduces anxiety and loneliness
- Learning: Improve knowledge of concepts such as size and color
- Motivation: Improve willingness to be involved in activities and social interaction
Pet therapy benefits
Studies have shown that interaction with a gentle, friendly pet has significant benefits. In many healthcare facilities, therapy dog visits have increased the calmness, happiness and overall emotional well-being of people who encounter them.
Physical health benefits
The act of petting produces an automatic relaxation response, reducing the amount of medication some patients need. Pet therapy also:
- Lowers blood pressure
- Improves heart and vascular health
- Releases endorphins (oxytocin) that have a calming effect
- Diminishes overall physical pain
Mental health benefits
Therapy dogs can:
- Lift spirits and lessen depression
- Decrease feelings of loneliness, isolation and alienation
- Encourage communication
- Provide comfort
- Increase socialization
- Reduce boredom
- Lower anxiety
- Create motivation for the patient to recover faster
Therapy dogs at Franciscan Health: What to expect
Our pet therapy program follows these guidelines:
- Therapy dogs always remain on leash and in the control of their trained handler.
- Handlers carry and offer hand sanitizer to patients and visitors who meet the dogs.
- Therapy dogs' grooming and health maintenance follows their registry's standards. Registries include Pet Partners® and Therapy Dogs International®.
- All handlers work as volunteers. The dog's training, medical care and basic needs are the handler's responsibility.
- Therapy dogs are not allowed in isolation rooms, ICU units and other selected areas.
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