Let the Dog In: More Hospitals Offering Pet Therapy

October 18, 2011

FEATURED SEARCH: animal assisted therapy

The American healthcare system is going to the dogs. In response to patient demand, one out of four hospitals provides unconventional or alternative therapies, and half of these hospitals now offer pet therapy. The survey of 714 hospitals was sponsored by the American Heart Association and the Samueli Institute, a think tank that supports alternative medicine.

RESULT: Demand drives more hospitals to offer alternative therapies
American Medical News | Oct 4, 2011 (FREE FULL TEXT)

Demand may not be the only motivation: This study shows that dog walking may decrease the cost of care by reducing length of stay. Given the opportunity to walk with a therapy dog, only 7% of heart failure patients declined, compared to the typical 28% refusal rate in this patient population, at least in the hospital in this report.

RESULT: Impact of canine-assisted ambulation on hospitalized chronic heart failure patients' ambulation outcomes and satisfaction: a pilot study.
The Journal of Cardiovascular Nursing | May 1, 2011 (Free abstract. Full text $49)

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