Therapy Pets

Therapy Pets If someone is hospitalized, and not well, there may not be a lot that can bring a smile to their face. There is often one thing that can brighten a patient's mood, and that something has four legs, a cold nose, and a wagging tail. Therapy dogs can lighten the mood, sometimes even in the darkest of situations. Therapy Dog Facts  Petting a dog can actually be equivalent to an instant acting antidepressant. Petting an animal releases oxytocin with each stroke.  Petting a dog, or any pet, lowers blood pressure  Need to calm down, just pet a therapy pet, it is next to impossible to be stressed out while petting a puppy.  Researchers say that dogs that work in a therapy capacity love their jobs, and love to make people happy. This study does have scientific backing, as dogs were analyzed by their body movements, head motion, and tail placement.  Patients suffering from Alzheimer's often surprise their caretakers by remembering the days the therapy pet is to visit, and remembering the therapy pet’s name. Doctors think there is a connection to patients remembering their pets as children, and looking forward to the enjoyment of the therapy pet.  Therapy dogs often provoke physical and verbal responses from children that normally lack responses. This has been studied with children suffering from cerebral palsy. Related: Premature Births Mugzy the Therapy Dog Mugzy is a pug that had a somewhat difficult start in life. When he was only 7 weeks of age, he got into an adult dog food that was considered a diet food. It had a large amount of fiber, which is not good for small puppies. His tummy swelled, and he almost choked, but was saved at the last minute at the vet's office. This was followed by an extensive neutering due to complications, having to have baby teeth surgically removed, and then dealing with a crushed trachea. Some people might question why this little guy lived, how he made it. Well, he is now 9 years old, and has worked as a therapy dog since he was one. Each week Mugzy goes to the Veterans Administration Hospital. He visits wounded and ill men and women, and he never tires until his work is done. Many of the people he visits suffer from PTSD, so they really appreciate the

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