Therapy dogs are trained to provide affection and comfort to people in hospitals, retirement homes, nursing homes, schools, hospices and disaster areas. They also assist people with learning difficulties.
Patients in the Sidney & Lois Eskenazi Hospital can request a visit from a certified therapy dog any time the dogs are in the building. Nurses can arrange visits for patients who they feel could benefit from interaction with a dog. Patients can hold or pet the dogs, and the dogs are also able to lie on the bed with patients. Unlike service dogs, who are primarily used for deaf or blind individuals, therapy dogs are trained to bring comfort to people.
Patients who would like to request a visit while in the Sidney & Lois Eskenazi Hospital should speak with their nurse or call the Robert & Gina Laikin Pet Therapy Program at Eskenazi Health at 317.656.0364.
Learn more about some of the therapy pets below. To support the pet therapy program, please visit www.eskenazihealthfoundation.org/donate.