News

Hollywood Private Hospital welcomes new therapy dogs

Dec 02, 2021

Hollywood Private Hospital has new canine recruits to provide comfort and companionship to patients.

The new therapy dogs’ size range is from a Shih Tzu X to a Hungarian Visler. Their duties include visiting patients and staff in the wards and engaging with members of the public.

Volunteer Services Manager Helen Morrell said there are now sufficient therapy dogs at Hollywood to assist with patient visits.

“Previously, we had a small number of dogs utilised on a weekly basis and over the space of a few months three had to retire so we wanted a few more dogs to replace them,” said Mrs Morrell.

“We had an overwhelming response to an article in the local newspaper calling for volunteers.

“We recruited the dogs who had a suitable temperament and were comfortable with people and could cope with unpredictable noises and activity.”

Mrs Morrell said therapy dogs provide many health benefits, including distracting patients from pain, reducing anxiety and generally bringing joy.

“The hospital dogs are very popular at Hollywood and encourage social interaction,” Mrs Morrell said.

Studies have found animal-assisted therapy provides physiological and psychological benefits for patients. *

Ramsay Health Care has a comprehensive Pets and Therapy Animals Guideline policy in place, which includes strict infection prevention and control measures for any animals approved to visit the hospital.

“We have a stringent policy to ensure the dogs are clean, vaccinated, well-trained and screened for appropriate behaviour,” Mrs Morrell said. “Generally only one dog is on site at a time and they are here over the 7 days of the week”.

“Dogs and their handlers undergo training and the volunteer must have control of the dog at all times while it is on duty”.

Volunteer Meredith Borland said it was such a simple thing to share the joy of being a dog owner.

“It’s such a great initiative for staff wellbeing as well as for the patients,” she said.

* aacnjournals.org/ajcconline/article-abstract/16/6/575/622/Animal-Assisted-Therapy-in-Patients-Hospitalized?redirectedFrom=fulltext