Therapy dogs bring comfort to hospitals and care homes

Prairie Mountain Health is highlighting the role of its therapy dog program, which includes about 50 registered pet therapy teams providing visits in hospitals and personal care homes.

The program, co-ordinated through Prairie Mountain Health and St. John Ambulance, continues to receive positive feedback, officials say.

Therapy dogs in the program come in all sizes and breeds, but must meet strict standards, including being friendly, patient, confident and gentle, while remaining at ease in a variety of environments. The dogs must enjoy human interaction and be comfortable being handled by unfamiliar people, while their handlers serve as trained volunteers.

Volunteer Ngaire Abernethy and her certified therapy dog, Tai, have visited the Brandon Regional Health Centre since 2017. Abernethy, who has volunteered for more than 20 years, said interactions with therapy animals can help improve well-being.

“There has been scientific research that has shown those exposed to animal therapy have demonstrated an overall improvement in physical pain,” she said. “A compassionate visit can also help people cope with illness, trauma, stress and anxiety.”

Health officials say therapy dog visits can increase social connection and boost oxytocin, a hormone associated with bonding, while lowering cortisol and other stress hormones. Experienced therapy dogs are also known to seek out individuals who may benefit most from their presence.

All Prairie Mountain Health therapy dogs are certified and insured through the Alliance of Therapy Dogs, with certification renewed annually at the volunteer’s expense. Dogs must pass an evaluation, be in good health and have up-to-date vaccinations, while handlers are required to provide references and undergo background checks verified by the health region.

The program is also built on a competency-based model that recognizes both the dog and handler as a team, each bringing strengths to the work. Handlers are trained to understand their dog’s needs, advocate for their well-being and select appropriate environments to ensure safe and effective visits.

Louise Stitt, a retired Prairie Mountain Health worker who now volunteers as a canine handler, said the impact of therapy dogs is immediate.

“People ask me what I’m doing in my retirement, and I say I’ve gone to the dogs,” she said. “Never have I experienced a time in my life when all I had to do was walk into a room with my therapy dog and automatically bring smiles and joy to those I met. It’s like carrying around a magic wand that makes everything a little bit better for people.”

Besides routine visits, therapy dog teams are involved in critical incident stress management and community trauma response. Prairie Mountain Health says canine teams may be deployed to support staff and community members following difficult events, working alongside crisis response teams to provide comfort and emotional support.

Some teams have also completed advanced training through HOPE Animal-Assisted Crisis Response, equipping them to assist in disaster and crisis situations, with additional teams working toward certification.

» Winnipeg Sun