For the past five years, Morgan, a 9-year-old Labradoodle, has sniffed out smiles from children being treated at Arnold Palmer Children’s Hospital. According to Therapy Dogs International, a volunteer organization dedicated to regulating and testing therapy dogs and their volunteer handlers for the purpose of visiting medical institutions, in-hospital dog visits foster a positive environment which can benefit patients, their families, and the hardworking staff. Arnold Palmer Children’s Hospital (APCH), part of Orlando Health, recognized the paws-itive powers of ‘man’s best friend’ as well and introduced its Pet Therapy Program in 1991. The volunteer-driven operation now serves six hospitals and various clinics thanks to 38 Pet Therapy teams comprised of “human and dog.”

Program supporters bark that the benefits of pet therapy are often instantly apparent in patients of all ages. “We’ve seen the tension that patients are physically experiencing ease all of a sudden,” explained Sheri Mosely, APCH manager for child life, music, and arts. For example, “Patients in our intensive care unit who have been unresponsive until the dog comes over and, suddenly, their arm will lift up. Maybe they’re not at the stage yet where they can be really interactive, but pet therapy triggers a response. That’s when you know it’s making a difference.”

In August 2014, the PetSmart Paws for Hope program donated $62,500 to support Pet Therapy teams at Orlando Health. According to a recent news report, the Paws for Hope program will help to fund over 50,000 patient visits each year.

Charmaine Sell, Morgan’s owner, said she leads her curly-haired, black dog on visits throughout multiple hospitals because she has personally witnessed the positive response in patients who stroke and feed him. “We know from research now that pet therapy lowers both heart rate and blood pressure, which promotes healing,” Sell said. “I enjoy seeing Morgan interact with the children. I like seeing someone who’s a little timid gradually come right up and snuggle with him.”

Stan Byrdsell immediately agreed to have pet therapy teams visit his son, Jeremiah, an 8-year-old APCH patient. “We know it helps him feel better. It helps him with his confidence and it helps him get out of here quicker,” Byrdsell said. Kirsten, another 8-year-old APCH patient, has welcomed a four-legged furry friend into her hospital room twice. Danielle Farmer, her mom, said she definitely sees the change in Kirsten’s behavior when she plays with the hospital-trained hound, especially since she misses her own dog. “She never wants the dog to leave,” Farmer shared of the temporary, blissful distraction.

According to Mosely, “It’s not just about a medical treatment anymore; this is about treating the whole person.” Pet Therapy programs allow children to play, laugh, and escape from their stressful or painful medical state ─ even if just for a few minutes. Angela Phillips, manager of volunteer services at APCH, makes sure both the volunteer owner and dog have taken the proper steps to participate in the Pet Therapy program. “There are certain certifications that make a pet eligible to become a pet therapy dog,” Phillips said. “We’re looking at the owner just as much, too, to make sure that they’re a good fit with the hospital.” Sell advises that the certifications, while extensive, ensure protection to not only the patient, but the owner and the dog as well. “Programs would rather have dogs that are well over a year old, so they’re a little bit calmer, and have all the basic commands: ‘sit,’ ‘stay,’ ‘leave it,’ etc. It takes a special dog ─ one that is skilled, won’t bark, and can always behave in the correct manner. Plus, I need to be able to make sure that Morgan is well protected in the environment. My job as a handler is to facilitate the interaction between the patient and the dog.”

To become a pet therapist, owners should attend a Good Canine Citizen or Advanced Obedience course, followed by a Pet Therapy Certification class. Orlando Health recognizes accreditation from three organizations: Therapy Dog International, Therapy Dog Inc., and Pet Partners. Owners are also obligated to comply with Orlando Health’s volunteer application and approval and expected to conduct pet therapy visits twice per month. For more information, or to paws-itively make a difference with a financial contribution, search ‘Pet Therapy’ on OrlandoHealth.com.