Comments on: Article Discusses the Benefits of Pet Therapy for Sick People http://blogs.dogster.com/vet_blog_information_advice/article-discusses-the-benefits-of-pet-therapy-for-sick-people/ Mon, 23 Nov 2009 07:25:38 -0800 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.8.4 hourly 1 By: Amanda C http://blogs.dogster.com/vet_blog_information_advice/article-discusses-the-benefits-of-pet-therapy-for-sick-people/comment-page-1/#comment-2312 Amanda C Thu, 03 Jul 2008 08:02:58 +0000 http://blogs.dogster.com/vet_blog_information_advice/article-discusses-the-benefits-of-pet-therapy-for-sick-people/#comment-2312 I was going to register Willow as a PAT cat, I filled in all the forms, got her vet checked for health and behaviour.. then figured she was too shy and would not settle on people. I think I will try again when she is older and a bit chilled out. I think she would make a great therapy cat as she is very pretty and makes the old folks next door smile (they let her into their house!), and everyone who sees her loves her, plus she has a very soft coat. If only she could chill out she'd be perfect, but she is still only young. I was going to register Willow as a PAT cat, I filled in all the forms, got her vet checked for health and behaviour.. then figured she was too shy and would not settle on people. I think I will try again when she is older and a bit chilled out. I think she would make a great therapy cat as she is very pretty and makes the old folks next door smile (they let her into their house!), and everyone who sees her loves her, plus she has a very soft coat. If only she could chill out she’d be perfect, but she is still only young.

]]> By: Telly Lam http://blogs.dogster.com/vet_blog_information_advice/article-discusses-the-benefits-of-pet-therapy-for-sick-people/comment-page-1/#comment-1677 Telly Lam Mon, 02 Jun 2008 01:42:22 +0000 http://blogs.dogster.com/vet_blog_information_advice/article-discusses-the-benefits-of-pet-therapy-for-sick-people/#comment-1677 Yet MORE research that supports Pet Therapy: Cole et al., 2007. American Journal of Critical Care. 16(6): 575. Animal Assisted therapy in patients hospitalized with heart failure. Background Animal-assisted therapy improves physiological and psychosocial variables in healthy and hypertensive patients. Objectives To determine whether a 12-minute hospital visit with a therapy dog improves hemodynamic measures, lowers neurohormone levels, and decreases state anxiety in patients with advanced heart failure. Methods A 3-group randomized repeated-measures experimental design was used in 76 adults. Longitudinal analysis was used to model differences among the 3 groups at 3 times. One group received a 12-minute visit from a volunteer with a therapy dog; another group, a 12-minute visit from a volunteer; and the control group, usual care. Data were collected at baseline, at 8 minutes, and at 16 minutes. Results Compared with controls, the volunteer-dog group had significantly greater decreases in systolic pulmonary artery pressure during (-4.32 mm Hg, P = .03) and after (-5.78 mm Hg, P = .001) and in pulmonary capillary wedge pressure during (-2.74 mm Hg, P = .01) and after (-4.31 mm Hg, P = .001) the intervention. Compared with the volunteer-only group, the volunteer-dog group had significantly greater decreases in epinephrine levels during (-15.86 pg/mL, P = .04) and after (-17.54 pg/mL, P = .04) and in norepinephrine levels during (-232.36 pg/mL, P = .02) and after (-240.14 pg/mL, P = .02) the intervention. After the intervention, the volunteer-dog group had the greatest decrease from baseline in state anxiety sum score compared with the volunteer-only (-6.65 units, P =.002) and the control groups (-9.13 units, P < .001). Conclusions Animal-assisted therapy improves cardiopulmonary pressures, neurohormone levels, and anxiety in patients hospitalized with heart failure. Yet MORE research that supports Pet Therapy:

Cole et al., 2007. American Journal of Critical Care. 16(6): 575. Animal Assisted therapy in patients hospitalized with heart failure.

Background Animal-assisted therapy improves physiological
and psychosocial variables in healthy and hypertensive patients.
Objectives To determine whether a 12-minute hospital visit
with a therapy dog improves hemodynamic measures, lowers
neurohormone levels, and decreases state anxiety in patients
with advanced heart failure.
Methods A 3-group randomized repeated-measures experimental
design was used in 76 adults. Longitudinal analysis
was used to model differences among the 3 groups at 3 times.
One group received a 12-minute visit from a volunteer with a
therapy dog; another group, a 12-minute visit from a volunteer;
and the control group, usual care. Data were collected
at baseline, at 8 minutes, and at 16 minutes.
Results Compared with controls, the volunteer-dog group had
significantly greater decreases in systolic pulmonary artery
pressure during (-4.32 mm Hg, P = .03) and after (-5.78 mm Hg,
P = .001) and in pulmonary capillary wedge pressure during
(-2.74 mm Hg, P = .01) and after (-4.31 mm Hg, P = .001) the
intervention. Compared with the volunteer-only group, the
volunteer-dog group had significantly greater decreases in
epinephrine levels during (-15.86 pg/mL, P = .04) and after
(-17.54 pg/mL, P = .04) and in norepinephrine levels during
(-232.36 pg/mL, P = .02) and after (-240.14 pg/mL, P = .02) the
intervention. After the intervention, the volunteer-dog group
had the greatest decrease from baseline in state anxiety sum
score compared with the volunteer-only (-6.65 units, P =.002)
and the control groups (-9.13 units, P < .001).
Conclusions Animal-assisted therapy improves cardiopulmonary
pressures, neurohormone levels, and anxiety in
patients hospitalized with heart failure.

]]> By: Princesspeachfan2008 http://blogs.dogster.com/vet_blog_information_advice/article-discusses-the-benefits-of-pet-therapy-for-sick-people/comment-page-1/#comment-1025 Princesspeachfan2008 Sat, 24 May 2008 05:29:06 +0000 http://blogs.dogster.com/vet_blog_information_advice/article-discusses-the-benefits-of-pet-therapy-for-sick-people/#comment-1025 Wow! Dogs have many uses! Even my dog could make me happy when i am depressed, dogs are really helpful especially to people who work overtime and senior citizens who do not have any companions to be with. Wow! Dogs have many uses! Even my dog could make me happy when i am depressed, dogs are really helpful especially to people who work overtime and senior citizens who do not have any companions to be with.

]]> By: Maida http://blogs.dogster.com/vet_blog_information_advice/article-discusses-the-benefits-of-pet-therapy-for-sick-people/comment-page-1/#comment-1011 Maida Thu, 22 May 2008 21:25:26 +0000 http://blogs.dogster.com/vet_blog_information_advice/article-discusses-the-benefits-of-pet-therapy-for-sick-people/#comment-1011 We have added a link to this wonderful article on the benefits of pet therapy to http://www.petsincondos.org/benefits.htm. Citizens FOR Pets in Condos is a 501-c3 tax exempt private operating foundation dedicated to increasing acceptance of companion animals in condos and other types of association-run housing. We educate the public about the health benefits of having animal companions and also advocate for responsible pet ownership/guardianship. Our motto: "creating a win-win situation for both people & pets." We have added a link to this wonderful article on the benefits of pet therapy to http://www.petsincondos.org/benefits.htm.

Citizens FOR Pets in Condos is a 501-c3 tax exempt private operating foundation dedicated to increasing acceptance of companion animals in condos and other types of association-run housing. We educate the public about the health benefits of having animal companions and also advocate for responsible pet ownership/guardianship. Our motto: “creating a win-win situation for both people & pets.”

]]> By: Tabby http://blogs.dogster.com/vet_blog_information_advice/article-discusses-the-benefits-of-pet-therapy-for-sick-people/comment-page-1/#comment-960 Tabby Mon, 19 May 2008 04:35:26 +0000 http://blogs.dogster.com/vet_blog_information_advice/article-discusses-the-benefits-of-pet-therapy-for-sick-people/#comment-960 Thanks for the article! We are training with a pet therapy organization called Delta Society. Any species of animal can be a therapy animal. :) Thanks for the article! We are training with a pet therapy organization called Delta Society. Any species of animal can be a therapy animal. :)

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