SLO hospital used to have one therapy dog — now it has 12. Here’s what they do
A San Luis Obispo County hospital celebrated the expansion of its therapy dog program this week, growing its team of soothing pooches from one to 12.
Tenet Health Central Coast’s Sierra Vista Regional Medical Center announced on Thursday the growth of its Dog Therapy Program, called “Pawsitive Therapy,” with employees and patients lined up to visit the halls.
The program — which involves using trained dogs with a handler or two — was inspired by studies showing that therapy dogs can reduce patients’ time in the hospital and their need for prescription medication.
Therapy dogs also help reduce depression, among other benefits, according to hospital officials.
Dogs teams assist with speech therapy, physical therapy, occupational therapy and stroke patients, among other health issue recoveries. They encourage patients to become engaged in their therapies and recovery, along with bringing overall positive feelings, Sierra Vista officials say.
“One person and handler of a dog come every single day of the year, aside from specialty classes that we have them involved in,” said Art Dominguez Jr., Sierra Vista’s chief nursing officer. “It’s joy, excitement, laughter, and a good distraction from why we have them in the hospital.”
Dominguez said a therapy dog helped a young boy go through a pediatric procedure without the need for sedation, for example.
The program includes multiple types of dogs, including furry and charming Labradoodles.
Teams are screened, educated, trained and have to show the dogs are well-mannered and enjoy meeting people before they are certified by the Alliance of Therapy Dogs (ATD), which provides certification.
Dogs must have proof of their vaccines, and the ATD monitors, instructs and assesses each team as part of the qualification process.
Any type of dog can participate except cross-breeds with coyotes and wolves, according to ADT regulations.
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