During the hard times in anyone’s life, it’s always good to have a friend. They can life your spirits, make you smile, and most importantly, help you see that you are not alone. Which is exactly why many hospices, clinics, and senior citizen homes are focussing part of their patient therapies to include visits from therapy dogs.
It’s a proven fact that by having a patient interact with a therapy dog, it will lower blood pressure, lower levels of anxiety, increase endorphins, and levels of oxytocin, which release feeling of happiness throughout the body.
The bottom, dogs can make life pretty awesome!
Take Kota for example, a certified therapy dog, who brightens everyone spirits at the Randolph Hospice House in Asheboro, N.C..
Ever since Kota has come to the facility, according to a Courier Tribune article, residents have a new look on life. Candy Hunter, Hospice House Director, said in the article, “It’s been great, because he will come and we will go into the rooms and even if the patient is unresponsive, we’ll put his hand on Kota’s paw and you can just tell, it’s a sense of relaxing.”
“It’s comforting to the patient and the family because we have all gotten to know Kota.”
Kota is one of many therapy dogs across the United States that bring stability, happiness, love, and friendship to so many individuals in need including senior citizens, members of the armed services, children, and adults.
Take a look at the gallery below that celebrates the work these therapy dogs do everyday. Enjoy! Please SHARE this with your friends if you love dogs as much as I do.
Kota and Bill "Pop Pop" Hunt at the Randolph Hospice House
Kota has formed a special bond Bill Hunt, who goes by the nickname “Pop Pop.” Mr. Bill’s dog passes away while he was still living independently but his family was worried he soon would not be able to take care of another dog. Kota has kind of become Mr. Bill’s new dog.
“He’s helped bring me around. He’s my buddy. I believe he would stay with me,” Mr. Bill said.
Gene Mohr and Molly at the Langley Hospital
Molly, a 3-year-old Sheltie, does about 10 animal assisted therapy visits throughout the Hampton Roads Area, including Langley Hospital, where she visits veterans like Mohr.
Cooper The Therapy Dog!
According to his owner, Cooper just passed his therapy dog test with flying colors and is now a therapy dog with Happy Tails. He will be making visits to nursing homes and children's hospitals! Way to go Cooper!
Bruce And Charles Filler
Bruce, a therapy dog, and Charles Filler, a resident at the VA Community Living Center in West Palm Beach, Fla., get to know each other.
Elvis Makes His Rounds!
Elvis, a therapy dog, visit patients in the Lourdes Regional Rehabilitation Center at Our Lady of Lourdes Medical Center in Camden, New Jersey.
