Animal Assisted Therapy
OSF HealthCare St. Mary Medical Center offers animal-assisted therapy to our patients because we believe in treating their emotional, as well as their physical needs.
Pet-assisted therapy uses highly trained animals and handlers to help patients achieve physical, social, cognitive and emotional goals. Specially trained therapy dogs and their owners will, on request, visit the hospital to bring bedside comfort to medically qualified patients, family members and Mission Partners.
Health Benefits
Pet therapy has been found to have several benefits for children and adults. Pet therapy can:
- Reduce stress, anxiety, pain and blood pressure
- Increase social interaction and communication
- Release hormones that improve the mood
- Increase motivation
- Ease grief and tension
- Provide comfort for children and adults in the hospital, especially for those separated from their pet
How It Works
A dog/handler team will visit the bedside of medically qualified patients.
Meet Our Dogs
Meet our certified pet-assisted therapy dogs at OSF HealthCare St. Mary Medical Center.
In the spirit of Christ and the example of Francis of Assisi, the Mission of OSF HealthCare is to serve persons with the greatest care and love in a community that celebrates the Gift of Life.