Insta Dog Bark

Menu
  • HOME
  • About Me
  • Contact
  • Insta Dog Bark
  • Dog Stories
  • Featured
  • Dog Videos
Home
Featured
Therapy Dogs Help Children Overcome Anxiety Over Medical Procedures

Therapy Dogs Help Children Overcome Anxiety Over Medical Procedures

Willie DeJarnette January 26, 2020
Pin
Share23
Tweet
Share
23 Shares

It isn’t at all uncommon for hospitals to utilize therapy dogs in one capacity or another. It’s easy to understand why this has become such a popular idea in several countries around the world.

Dogs have a way of easing a person’s anxiety, whether that involves going to the hospital or talking about something that’s extremely uncomfortable. They not only serve as a great distraction, thereby making it easier for people to do things that they find challenging, but they also lower a person’s anxiety level to a point where it can be extremely beneficial.

This in turn can help lower blood pressure and keep one’s heart rate in check. Obviously, these are two things that are quite important for someone who has already been admitted to the hospital for one reason or another.

While there are plenty of locations that utilize therapy dogs, Southampton Children’s Hospital in the United Kingdom has taken things to an entirely new level.

They’ve actually added six golden retrievers to the staff and they utilize them on a daily basis to help children who are anxious about all kinds of medical procedures find the comfort they need to heal.

It doesn’t matter if the children need to have a procedure done, if they’re being admitted to the hospital or if they have to go to surgery, these dogs are there to lead the way.

It all started when a small patient that had been admitted to the hospital needed to wear a surgical mask for his own protection.

Obviously, this isn’t the most comfortable thing to do and it can be quite terrifying for someone who’s claustrophobic, even as an adult. Imagine what it must be like to ask a child to wear one of these things and leave it in place for an extended amount of time.

He was having a difficult time with it. As luck would have it, someone had brought a therapy dog to the hospital that day. Instinctively, the dog came into the room, saw the surgical mask and stuck his nose in it. The moment the child saw the dog do this, he realized that he could do it as well.

Staff saw how well this worked in the idea to add six golden retrievers to the staff on a full-time basis was born.

Today, the hospital cares for its six charges, named Leo, Archie, Hattie, Jessie, Quinn and Milo. When the dogs aren’t working, they are well cared for and very much loved. They actually work with an organization called Working With Pets As Therapy.

Through that program, the hospital has been able to help countless numbers of children who are otherwise so frightened it’s almost impossible for them regain control.

The dogs even pose for photo shoots, pretending to have all kinds of procedures done.

It makes it easier for the children to have those same procedures when they see a photo of a dog getting his or her blood pressure checked or something similar. In short, it helps them realize that there’s nothing to be frightened about and if the dogs can do it, so can they

There is no doubt that this is one of the most unique therapy dog programs in the entire world. It’s been extremely successful and it promises to pave the way for additional programs that are similar in nature.

These animals have made it easier for children who are very sick to get the treatment they need in order to get better. Part of achieving that goal involves keeping the patients calm and nurturing them mentally, emotionally and spiritually.

The dogs help the hospital accomplish all of these goals, all while encouraging the young patients to allow the doctors do what they need to do in order to get their physical health back on track

Credits: SCH Therapy Dogs Facebook

Share
Pinterest
Email
Prev Article
Next Article

Related Articles

There’s no denying that your typical Maltese tends to be …

This Might Be The Most Energetic Maltese Ever

We have all hard of incredible stories of a dog …

Meet One Of The Dogs Who Aids In Rescuing Koalas In The Australian Bushfire

About The Author

Willie DeJarnette

Hello Guys, I love my dogs and I grew up surrounded with dogs. I wanted to share awesome stories about dogs. I looking forward to bringing warm heart stories for dog lover. Please leave comment and stories you have encountered.

Leave a Reply

Cancel reply

Popular Posts

    Find us on Facebook

    Categories

    • Dog Stories
    • Dog Videos
    • Featured
    • Insta Dog Bark

    Insta Dog Bark

    Recent Articles

    • Finally Dog Left At Shelter Cries, Problem Solved
    • Woman Adopts The Dogs Who Have Been In The Shelter Longest
    • Mama And Puppy Living In A Trash Can Find A Forever Home
    • Golden Retriever Nursed Injured Piglet Back To Health
    • A Family From Chicago Gets To Be Reunited With Their Dog After Six Years

    Categories

    • Dog Stories
    • Dog Videos
    • Featured
    • Insta Dog Bark

    Menu

    • HOME
    • ABOUT ME
    • CONTACT
    • TERMS & CONDITIONS
    • PRIVACY POLICY
    • CURATION POLICY
    • DMCA
    • DISCLAIMER
    Copyright © 2023 Insta Dog Bark

    Ad Blocker Detected

    Our website is made possible by displaying online advertisements to our visitors. Please consider supporting us by disabling your ad blocker.

    Refresh