How Pet Therapy Can Help Promote Healing for Hospital Patients

In pet therapy, trained volunteers and their adult dogs make short, in-room visits to adults and children who would enjoy the company of a furry friend.

Pet therapy has been found to have several benefits for children and adults. Pet therapy can reduce stress, promote healing, lower blood pressure, and lift spirits. In addition, pet therapy provides a comforting source of healing touch for children and adults in the hospital.

In this video, watch as Lisa Perry, CCLS, a certified Child Life specialist at UH Rainbow Babies & Children's Hospital, and Diane Pekarek, a coordinator with the Pet Pals volunteer program at University Hospitals, explain the importance of facility and therapy dogs -- and see the dogs greet some of Rainbow's young patients and their family members.