By CAITLIN SULLIVAN/Staff
Several times a week Simon roams the halls of Johnston Memorial Hospital looking for love.
Last Tuesday he found some.
Tammy Davis. She sat in a hospital gown in her hospital room in Abingdon and stroked Simon, the corgi therapy dog.
“It’s a very good distraction from why you’re here,” Davis said. “I think it could be one of the best things they could do.”
Simon’s one of about eight Therapy Dogs International-certified critters that make up the pet therapy program at Johnston Memorial which began in May.
Hospital director of guest relations Brooke Davis said she’s noticed that the dogs calm patients and reduce stress.
“(Dogs) love you for what you are no matter what, so it’s very therapeutic for all patients,” she said.
Simon’s owner Joann Allen says when he walks in a room full of people he can sense who the patient is and sits next to them.
“It’s extremely rewarding to see how people respond to him,” Allen said. “He really doesn’t like hallways but he likes being on a chair next to the patient.”
In a press release, Mountain States Health Alliance Patient-Centered Care education coordinator Lisa James said, “Recent studies have shown that a person holding or petting an animal will have a decrease in blood pressure, a release of strain and tension, and may be drawn out from loneliness and depression. The decrease in anxiety is wonderful. These dogs help take the patient’s mind off their illness.”
Johnston Memorial patient Tammy Davis said she believes it.
“I was hurting when they first came in and I forgot about it,” she said. “It’s calming. Your blood pressure drops… To me there’s nothing like a dog. They give you so much and don’t ask for anything in return.”
To contact Caitlin Sullivan call (276) 628-7101 or e-mail csullivan@wythenews.com.
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