Therapy pets have been proven to be an effective tool for lifting the spirits of hospital patients of all ages.
Northwestern Medicine Palos Hospital last week announced the return of the pet therapy program that had been on hold due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
Buddy, an Old English Sheep Dog, and his handler Marty Strubin made their first visit to Palos Hospital in three years when they visited patients in the orthopedics inpatient unit to lift spirits.
“The effects of pet therapy are palpable. Visits by certified animals can help reduce anxiety and stress, as well as relieve feelings of homesickness for patients who miss their own animals. The action of hugging and snuggling the pet provides a sense of home while also motivating patients to move,” Donna Nadelhoffer, volunteer services manager at Northwestern Medicine Palos Hospital, said in a release.
Buddy and Strubin, of Palos Park, are members of the Alliance of Therapy Dogs, an international registry of certified therapy dog teams.
At Northwestern Medicine, patients and staff receive visits from animals that are approved through qualified organizations. The animals support therapeutic activities and interventions and provide an emotional boost for people in need.
