Pet Therapy
The Baptist Health Hardin Kira Chandler Pet Therapy program is designed to enhance patient care by incorporating animal-assisted therapy and activities. Supported by Baptist Health Foundation Hardin and generous donors, this initiative aims to provide emotional comfort, reduce stress, and promote overall well-being among patients, visitors and staff.
Pet therapy involves structured interactions between trained therapy animals and individuals in healthcare settings. Physicians and nurses can enter orders for pet therapy in the electronic medical record as part of the patient’s treatment plan; patients can also request visits. The program uses certified therapy animals to support patients experiencing a variety of conditions, including:
- Pain
- Emotional distress and anxiety
- Cardiovascular disease
- Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD)
- Dementia
- Cancer or palliative care
- Pediatric illnesses
- Sexual assault trauma
Who benefits from pet therapy?
- The program provides comfort and emotional support to:
- Hospitalized patients and their families
- Pediatric patients and their families
- Patients being treated for cancer or in palliative care
- Sexual assault survivors
- Healthcare staff experiencing stress or burnout
How can pet therapy help?
Pet therapy research indicates that patient interaction with therapy animals encourages the following:
- Endorphin release to alleviate pain and anxiety
- Reduction in blood pressure and heart rate
- Distraction and relaxation
- Improved cardiovascular health
- Diminished physical pain and depression
- Communication and social interaction