In Barcelona, Hospital del Mar and the Affinity Foundation have implemented a unique program that utilizes therapy dogs to help patients in the intensive care unit. Patients like Joel Bueno have greatly benefited from this initiative, finding comfort and companionship in the presence of therapy dogs Vida and Lu. The program is part of a trial run aimed at improving the mental health of ICU patients.
During the therapy sessions, patients spend 15 to 20 minutes with the dogs twice a week. The presence of these furry companions has been shown to significantly improve patients’ mental health, as experts analyze saliva samples to measure stress indicators like cortisol and happiness hormones like oxytocin and serotonin. Not only do patients benefit from this therapy, but emergency room staff also enjoy having the dogs around during work.
Maribel Vida, Affinity’s head of animal therapy projects, notes the positive impact that therapy dogs have on both patients and staff. The dogs provide comfort, companionship, and joy to those in need, making them an essential component of this innovative program. Therapy dogs have long been used to assist people with disabilities or psychological issues, and the success of programs like this one in Spain highlights their tremendous benefits for those who require them most.
