TITLE

Therapy Dogs Help Reduce Pain in Emergency Room Patients

DESCRIPTION

Wow, what an interesting article!  Most of us have heard about adjuncts to psychotherapy, but not the studies involved in using therapy dogs used to not only help individuals with anxiety and depression, but also for health issues.  “Therapy dogs are often employed in schools, prisons and nursing homes to help improve human health. Now, new evidence shows having these fluffy companions in the emergency room may be beneficial for the well-being of patients.  In a study published in PLOS ONE, researchers at the University of Saskatchewan found that therapy dogs can help reduce pain, including anxiety and depression, in ER patients.   “There is research showing that pets are an important part of our health in different ways. They motivate us, they get us up, (give us) routines, the human-animal bond,” lead study author and professor at the University of Saskatchewan Colleen Dell tells CNN’s Madeline Holcombe.”

This is a great article to use with issues of scientific research, stress and health Psychology, and psychotherapy chapters.  The article includes a brief YouTube video illustration.

SOURCE

Smithsonian, March 15, 2022, by Margaret Osborne

LINK TO RESOURCE

https://www.smithsonianmag.com/smart-news/therapy-dogs-help-reduce-pain-in-emergency-room-patients-180979730/?utm_source=smithsoniandaily&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=20220412-daily-responsive&spMailingID=46684569&spUserID=NzQwNDU3MDAyMDIS1&spJobID=2221275517&spReportId=MjIyMTI3NTUxNwS2undefined

(Tiny URL)  https://tinyurl.com/py77xfy2

CLASS DISCUSSION QUESTIONS:

•According to the article, how does the use of a therapy dog help with stress, pain, and health issues?

•Please describe how the research was conducted on this issue.  According to the article, why is this research significant in scientific ways?

•What were the results of the research regarding therapy dogs in hospital emergency rooms?