Paws the Pressure

30 Aug 2022

A study published earlier this year concluded that a 10 minute session with a therapy dog yielded clinically significant reductions in pain for patients in emergency departments, while improvements in anxiety, depression and well-being were also observed.

Therapy dog Salla, visits our Emergency Department each week, bringing a little bit of joy and emotional support to our patients and staff alike.

“As soon as Salla comes in to the department, the whole mood lifts”, said Emergency Doctor, Jessica Green.

St Vincent’s JMO’s were recently treated to a personalised therapy dog and lunch session with several dogs visiting for cuddles. The dogs were a welcome distraction for the young doctors, and have been known to alleviate stress. In fact further studies have shown that human-animal interaction can positively alter cortisol, heart rate and blood pressure.

Furthermore, adults exposed to a dog interaction, indicated that blood pressure was significantly reduced after the dog visit after only 5–24 min. And for both people and the therapy dogs, levels of endorphin, oxytocin, prolactin, and dopamine were improved.

It’s a win-win for all.

Delta Therapy Dogs is a volunteer-based organisation, who visit hospitals, aged care facilities, dementia wards, mental health facilities, palliative care, disability services, health clinics, schools and correctional facilities, to bring joy to those who could benefit from a little unconditional love.