Project Pooches for People

Patient visits with therapy pets encourage reminiscence and social interaction, resulting in stress relief and better mood. Medical studies suggest that blood pressure may be lowered and hospital stays shortened when patients have access to pets. Research has found that complex, varied, and interesting daily activity is the strongest social predictor of longevity. Pets provide unconditional, nonjudgmental love and affection and shift our narrow focus beyond ourselves, helping us to feel connected to a larger world.

Objective: To provide area health centers with the benefits of animal-assisted activities by organizing programs through which patients are brought into casual contact with specially trained dogs.

Initial Location: Washington, D.C. at present--expanding to other locations in the future.

Dates: Ongoing

Details: We strive to promote health and healing not only by providing quality medical and preventative care, but also by creating treatment environments that foster hope. To this end, we have created the Pooches for People project, which will enliven the atmosphere of healthcare centers for both patients and caregivers and provide patients the benefits of interaction with the animals. The ways that Animal Assisted Activities (AAA) can be incorporated into patients’ lives and into their therapy are many and varied. The therapeutic use of animal companions has gained increasing attention in recent years for a variety of patients, most notable those with AIDS or cancer, the elderly, and the mentally ill. Often casual interaction with no stated objective is the most helpful thing a pet can provide. Unlike people, with whom our interactions are often complex and unpredictable, animals provide a constant source of comfort and a focus for attention. Animals bring out our nurturing instinct and they make us feel safe and unconditionally accepted. Often times the most important thing a dog can do for a patient, young or old, is to give him something to care for when he is used to being on the receiving end.

Current: The Pooches for People project is in its beginning stages now and we are researching facilities and programs where the animal-assisted therapy is most needed.

For more information on the project, please contact Heather Lasseter.

This project would not be possible without the generous support of our donors! Please visit our donations page if you would like to contribute.