Hospitals in Spain use therapy dogs for patients who spend long periods of time in the intensive care unit to improve their morale.
One weekend, Joel Bueno shed tears when he saw four-legged guests entering the intensive care unit. Before that, he spent a lot of time here treating the symptoms of blood clots, which can be life-threatening at any time. The 34-year-old male patient said his two dogs Vida and Lu reminded him of his pets at home.
“It’s great to have companions who love you more than anyone in the world. Dogs are always there, no matter how you are,” he said with a bright smile.
Vida and Lu are therapy dogs, part of a trial run by Hospital del Mar in Barcelona and the Affinity Foundation to improve the mental health of patients in the intensive care unit (ICU).
Patients in the program are seen twice per week for 15 to 20 minutes each time. Lucia Picazo, an ICU doctor, said the therapy helped patients improve significantly.
For in-depth research, experts will analyze saliva samples collected from patients before and after a therapy session, to check whether stress indicators such as cortisol are reduced, other indicators such as oxytocin are reduced. and whether serotonin increases or not.
Joel Bueno and therapy dogs in the intensive care unit. Image: Reuters
Cortisol is a stress hormone, often produced when people experience psychological stress. Oxytocin and serotonin are considered two happy hormones, regulating the patient’s feeling of happiness and sleep.
Maribel Vida, Affinity’s head of animal therapy projects, said patients are not the only ones benefiting from the project. Many emergency room staff also enjoy having dogs by their side during work.
Maribel does not doubt the benefits of this project. He said just knowing the dogs will visit, people’s spirits improve.
In fact, therapy dogs have been used for a long time. These are often specially trained dogs to help people with disabilities or psychological problems, such as guide dogs for the blind.