Well - Spring 2014 - (Page 8)
Creature
Comf rts
Pet therapy dogs provide encouragement and support to patients.
By Toni Bowerman
PhoTo: ed GerhardT
P
8
et owners will attest to the unconditional love
and comfort their animals provide, and science
backs that up with evidence.The American Heart
Association cites studies that show pet owners
have a reduced risk of heart disease along with
lower levels of blood pressure, cholesterol and stress.
Pet therapy brings those same health benefits and oth
ers to patients in the hospital. Unlike service dogs that assist
disabled individuals with daily tasks, the primary purpose of
a therapy dog is to help patients feel better, both emotionally
and physically.
"The dogs make a huge difference with patients, families
and employees," says Beth Bailey, LRT/CTRS, CCLS, senior
child life specialist in Recreational Therapy and Child Life.
UNC Hospitals began the Animal Assisted Activities
and Therapy Program in 2002. However, the hospital's pet
program originally began
in the early 1990s under
a different name. Today,
the program has 10 Pet
Partner teams.
Holly, a beautiful Aus
tralian Shepherd mix, and
her owner, Ed Gerhardt,
have been regular vol
unteers with the pro
gram for four years. As a
weekend manager at the
Ronald McDonald House
Holly
in Chapel Hill, Ed often
interacted with therapy dogs and witnessed firsthand the
positive effects they had on the families staying there. It was
not until after he retired, however, that he had time to dedi
cate to having a therapy dog and was able to join the program.
Ed and Holly start their visit in the Hospital School in
neurosciences, which helps hospitalized children keep up
with their studies.
"Holly starts the session by opening the door to the
Spring 2014
Well
classroom and letting herself in," Ed says. "The kids love it. I take
her to each child, introduce her, and let them give her treats."
Holly's visits are always paired with a lesson for the kids
about how to handle situations around unfamiliar dogs. Prior
to her arrival, the teacher goes through the book May I Pet Your
Dog? Then they practice what they learned with Ed and Holly,
solidifying this important life skill in their minds. In this way,
Ed and Holly provide not only comfort to the children but
also instruction.
"Some of the kids are very withdrawn, and she brings them
right out. It's rare that I'll go into a classroom and that all of the
kids aren't really happy to see her. She makes a big difference
with the kids."
After their visit to the Hospital School, Ed takes Holly to
visit patients in physical rehabilitation. Some patients who want
to have a Pet Partner visit may need approval from their doc
tor. Most volunteers in the pet therapy program have regular
days during the month that they visit, but some visits can be
arranged by request.
"I once had a woman stop me on my way in. She said that
she was coming in for surgery in a week or two and wanted to
know how she could get a visit from Holly," recalls Ed. "I told
her that after her surgery, once her doctor cleared her to have
a pet visit, she could just talk to her regular nurse and that they
would arrange a pet visit for her."
Bailey coordinates with the hospital units to ensure they are
approved for animal visitation and trains staff to become liai
sons. Each area of the hospital that is approved for visitation
is required to have a pet liaison who takes the dog and owner
from room to room to visit with patients. Currently, there are
liaisons trained in 11 units throughout UNC Hospitals.
Each patient benefits in different ways from pet therapy,
explains Bailey.The companionship of the dogs offers comfort for
those who can't be at home or spend time with their own pets.
For others, the dogs provide motivation to do physical therapy.
The benefits of the popular Pet Partners program extend
beyond the patients who get visits, says Bailey. "Everyone in the
hospital feels better when a Pet Partner stops by."
Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of Well - Spring 2014
Well - Spring 2014
Contents
UNC Health Care News
The Gift of Sound
Creature Comforts
Rehabilitation: Reclaiming Life After Injury
New Blood Pressure Guidelines
Nutrition
Calendar
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