They say that man’s best friend is a dog, but did you know that dogs could be a doctor’s best friend as well? A recent study has revealed that therapy dogs can help reduce pain in the emergency room. In addition, the research found that the patients who interacted with the therapy dogs experienced clinically significant changes in pain, as well as significant changes in anxiety, depression and well-being.
Dogs Can Help with Mental Health Issues and More
As dog lovers everywhere have long suspected, canine affection cures all ills and also provides a bit of optimism for patients and health care providers struggling to manage scarce hospital resources amid the COVID-19 pandemic.
The researchers asked more than 200 patients in the ER to rate their pain on a scale of 1 to 10 (with 10 being the most severe). The study’s control group did not receive any pain relief, while participants in the other group received 10 minutes of time with a therapy dog, during which patients rated their pain levels again. Patients in the therapy dog group reported less pain and relieved mental health symptoms like anxiety.
Dogs Can Help Soothe Hospital Patients and Those at Home
Patients’ pain may be exacerbated by the emergency room experience. It is often made worse by bright lights, long waits, anxiety and a focus on immediate, acute conditions. However, pain is also a social experience. The way we experience pain can be influenced by anxiety, depression and having support or being dismissed. We can feel better when we spend time with animals that bring us joy and don’t invalidate our feelings.
Let Sunset Vet Be Your Resource for Adopting a Furry Friend
If the results from this study are making you consider adopting a pet, we hope you consider using the top-notch services of Sunset Veterinary Clinic in Edmond, OK. Our wonderful veterinarian staff is dedicated to making sure your pet is well taken care of and that our pet owners are fully prepared to take on the journey of adopting an animal.
In addition to wellness services, our veterinary clinic offers dental work, bathing, dog health, cat health, boarding and surgery. In short, your pets’ health will always be our number one priority! To make an appointment with an Oklahoma veterinarian today, call us at 405-844-2888 or visit our contact page for more information.
