Therapy dogs are occasionally seen in hospitals visiting patients. It is believed that interacting with a dog can reduce stress and blood pressure and improve a patient’s health and quality of life. Researchers are now studying the benefits that these therapy dogs can have. The American Humane Association is leading research on the effects that therapy dogs have on children undergoing cancer treatment.
Amy McCullough is leading the research. McCullough and her team are studying weekly visits with therapy dogs on 51 children with cancer. Early results are showing that dogs are able to reduce patient stress and stabilize their blood pressure and heart rate. Therapy dogs are also decreasing anxiety, stabilizing moods, and increasing patient quality of life.
McCullough and her team are also studying therapy dog behaviour and saliva cortisol levels to examine the impact that these visits are having on the dogs. The knowledge gained from this portion of the study will hopefully benefit dog and handler training.
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