Therapy Dog Program

Paw for Patients allows volunteers, whose dogs are qualified with an approved therapy dog organization, to engage with patients and staff throughout the hospital. Must be 18 years or older to participate and able to commit to at least two visits per month.

Benefits of Animal Therapy

Mental Health

• Lifts spirits and lessens depression
• Decreases feelings of isolation and alienation, loneliness
• Encourages communication
• Provides comfort
• Increases socialization
• Reduces boredom
• Lowers anxiety
• Helps children overcome speech and emotional disorders
• Creates motivation for the client to recover faster

Physical Health

• Lowers blood pressure
• Improves cardiovascular health
• Releases endorphins that have a calming effect
• Diminishes overall physical pain
• The act of petting a therapy dog produces an automatic relaxation response