Gillette Animal Assisted Therapies!

Animals Bringing Comfort and Encouragement to Patients!

The hospital can be a scary place for anyone, much less a young child or teenager. Children who have undergone major surgery at Gillette Children’s Specialty Healthcare, or who have experienced a traumatic injury, often spend weeks in the hospital as they receive daily—sometimes even twice-daily—sessions of physical and occupational therapy. Finding ways to motivate a child to move after surgery or an injury can be difficult, and what motivates one child may not always work for another. But thanks to community support through Children’s Miracle Network Hospitals, motivation is being found through the assistance of some four-legged friends.

Dogs are well-loved by so many children, and they provide a source of comfort and familiarity within the hospital environment. The current research on the application of Animal-Assisted Therapy (AAT) suggests that children who have a therapy dog participate in therapy with them experience a reduction in physical and emotional pain, reduced levels of Cortisol (the stress hormone), lowered blood pressure, increased levels of Oxytocin (the bonding hormone) as well as increases in spontaneous language and social skills.

When a child’s focus shifts from their pain and anxiety to having fun with a therapy dog, their ability to participate in challenging therapeutic activities improves. Thank you, Children’s Miracle Network Hospitals donors for helping Gillette kiddos by supporting our animal-assisted therapy program!