Hospital Corner: Paws for health

Dog owners reap a bounty of physical and mental health benefits. They are more likely to get regular exercise by walking their dog or playing in the yard. Getting out for walks or even going to the vet promotes social connection, which improves mood and overall sense of well-being.   

When Yvonne Nanasi learned she needed open-heart surgery, she knew getting out and about with her dog Shelby was going to be part of her rehabilitation. What she did not know was that she would share this therapy with many others.  

Following heart surgery, Yvonne enrolled in the cardiac rehabilitation program at Logan Health - Whitefish, which is where Yvonne learned firsthand about the hospital’s volunteer dog therapy teams and how beneficial they can be for patients. After finishing her rehabilitation, she and Shelby started training to be on the team. 

This special team of volunteers creates a very personal bond with every person they meet. Each encounter immediately reduces stress and anxiety for all involved. Shelby, along with Evi, Soli, Rusty, Karra and Dagny make up the current four-legged half of the hospital’s volunteer Dog Visit Teams, and they deliver a whole different breed of person-centered care. 

Yvonne and Shelby have been volunteering for seven years, and at 13 years old, Shelby is still making the rounds every other week. She’s eager to meet everyone she comes across. Often, she and Yvonne encounter more staff than patients, but the impact is the same. 

The healing power of animals, and the dog-human bond in particular, has been observed for ages. In the late 1800s, British nurse Florence Nightingale noted the therapeutic potential of dogs having observed dogs reducing anxiety of children. In the early 1900s, Sigmund Freud often used his dog in therapy sessions because it helped put his patients at ease. 

Considered supportive therapy, dogs have been recruited into health care settings as part of the care team. When a patient encounters a dog, the connection can lower their blood pressure and decrease anxiety. Pet teams also help patient families and caregivers in the same way. When the dog walks into the room, he or she shifts the focus.  

Or as Yvonne would say, “The person loses themself in the dog.”  

Although dog visits tend to be brief, Yvonne feels that Shelby makes a difference in each person’s day.  

Just like humans, dogs benefit from staying active and engaged. Working animals, such as service dogs, police dogs and livestock dogs to name a few, play vital roles in their duties. Logan Health - Whitefish’s pet therapy teams heal and bring joy to everyone. It is a win-win-win because all parties involved reap the benefits.  

The dog teams at Logan Health - Whitefish are trained, tested and registered with Intermountain Therapy Animals.