From the smallest clinics to the biggest medical centers, friendly dogs and even cats are proving to be powerful allies, helping people bounce back quicker after a hospital stay. Reuters Health shows us programs across Europe, North America, and Asia where trained therapy animals—like dogs, cats, and even rabbits—visit patients in intensive care, cancer wards, or recovery rooms, bringing both happiness and real health advantages.
Getting well in the hospital can be tough. But patients often recover more smoothly with a friendly animal around. The presence of a comforting animal can noticeably reduce mental stress, stabilize physiological responses, and accelerate the body’s natural mending. Just being with a therapy animal often brings a whole lot of good. People often mention feeling less pain, sleeping better, and taking less medicine. For children and older adults living in care facilities, therapy animals spark joy, gentle tears, and new beginnings.
Guess what? Reuters just showed us animals are pitching in with physical therapy. Folks get stronger and move better. They might toss a ball with a playful dog or go for a stroll with a therapy pet. Hospital staff feel happier, connecting and bonding over visits from therapy animals.
Health officials encourage hospitals to expand animal-assisted therapy beyond pediatrics to all wards, making compassionate recovery standard practice.
Source: Reuters Healthcare
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