Pet therapy involves bringing trained companion animals like dogs to patients in hospitals or care centers and has been shown to provide health benefits. It can lower blood pressure and reduce anxiety, encouraging faster healing and better quality of life. Studies also show that interaction with therapy animals increases levels of endorphins and oxytocin in patients, which boosts happiness and empathy while providing psychological benefits.

1. The Patient Advantages
of Pet Therapy
Mary Pat Higley

2. The Patient Advantages of Pet Therapy
 Pharmaceutical professional Mary Pat Higley, PharmD, works as a medical
industry consultant, data analyzer, and clinical research associate in the
Newport Beach, California, area. In her present roles, she applies more than
30 years of experience as a clinical pharmacist and research project
manager. Outside of her professional pursuits, Mary Pat Higley, engages in
therapy dog training and takes therapy dogs to long-term care facilities
and children’s hospitals.

3. The Patient Advantages of Pet Therapy
 Pet therapy (also known as animal-assisted therapy) offers proven benefits
to patients confined to hospitals and care centers. Pet therapy may refer to
animal-assisted therapy, in which dogs or other companion animals visit
patients and help them recover from such health conditions as heart
problems, cancer, and mental health disorders. Pet therapy may also refer
to animal-assisted activities, in which the animals provide comfort and
general enjoyment to long-term care residents.

4. The Patient Advantages of Pet Therapy
 Studies show that pet therapy offers direct health benefits, such as lowering
blood pressure and reducing patient anxiety. Both results encourage faster
healing and increased quality of life. Furthermore, patients exposed to
therapy animals show increased levels of endorphin and oxytocin. The
release of these natural substances increases happiness and boosts
empathy in people, offering numerous psychological benefits.