Therapy Dogs Transform Intensive Care at Calderón Guardia Hospital
Monthly therapy sessions with dogs provide emotional support and enhance patient recovery in the ICU.
At Calderón Guardia Hospital, a unique initiative is bringing therapy dogs into the Intensive Care Unit (ICU) once a month, offering a novel form of emotional support to patients facing critical health challenges.
This program aims to improve the overall well-being of patients through animal-assisted therapy.
According to Iván Fariñas Bellanero, a psychologist in the ICU, the therapy provides numerous benefits, including improved mood, altered perception of hospital stays, and better management of anxiety.
Fariñas noted that patients become more receptive to medical recommendations when benefitting from such interactions.
One recent participant, Mariana Aguilar Sánchez, who was recovering from peritonitis, shared her experience of the therapy.
She remarked on the positive impact of the therapy dogs, stating, "I liked it a lot and it helped me greatly, because I love dogs.
That day I felt very well, and I hope they bring them back to help others like me."
Her father, César Aguilar, echoed her sentiments, highlighting a specific moment during the visit when Mariana was motivated to walk towards the therapy dogs without distress, reflecting a profound emotional response.
He described the experience as enriching, not only for patients but also for healthcare staff who appeared visibly happy during these interactions.
The initiative, termed "Therapy Dogs," was spearheaded by Donato Salas Segura, the head of the ICU, who sought to humanize patient care.
Salas established a partnership with the Animal-Assisted Intervention Center to facilitate these sessions for suitable patients.
He explained that individuals in critical care settings often suffer from post-traumatic stress syndrome, and interactions with animals serve to reconnect them with reality.
Currently, therapy sessions occur monthly, with plans to increase the frequency to every two weeks.
A multidisciplinary team, comprising specialists in physical therapy, respiratory therapy, nursing, intensive care medicine, and psychology, oversees the program to ensure that patients, many of whom are on ventilators, receive the specialized care they require during these therapeutic encounters.
This program aims to improve the overall well-being of patients through animal-assisted therapy.
According to Iván Fariñas Bellanero, a psychologist in the ICU, the therapy provides numerous benefits, including improved mood, altered perception of hospital stays, and better management of anxiety.
Fariñas noted that patients become more receptive to medical recommendations when benefitting from such interactions.
One recent participant, Mariana Aguilar Sánchez, who was recovering from peritonitis, shared her experience of the therapy.
She remarked on the positive impact of the therapy dogs, stating, "I liked it a lot and it helped me greatly, because I love dogs.
That day I felt very well, and I hope they bring them back to help others like me."
Her father, César Aguilar, echoed her sentiments, highlighting a specific moment during the visit when Mariana was motivated to walk towards the therapy dogs without distress, reflecting a profound emotional response.
He described the experience as enriching, not only for patients but also for healthcare staff who appeared visibly happy during these interactions.
The initiative, termed "Therapy Dogs," was spearheaded by Donato Salas Segura, the head of the ICU, who sought to humanize patient care.
Salas established a partnership with the Animal-Assisted Intervention Center to facilitate these sessions for suitable patients.
He explained that individuals in critical care settings often suffer from post-traumatic stress syndrome, and interactions with animals serve to reconnect them with reality.
Currently, therapy sessions occur monthly, with plans to increase the frequency to every two weeks.
A multidisciplinary team, comprising specialists in physical therapy, respiratory therapy, nursing, intensive care medicine, and psychology, oversees the program to ensure that patients, many of whom are on ventilators, receive the specialized care they require during these therapeutic encounters.
