A P R I L 2 0 1 8 • O U T PA T I E N TS U R G E R Y. N E T • 2 1
P
et therapy dogs make
rounds every weekday in
our waiting area for family
members of patients in for same-
day surgery. We've seen the dogs
lift the mood of the entire room.
Even after the dogs leave, you'll
hear people talking to each other
about their dogs, so now they're
having conversations about some-
thing that makes them happy
rather than worrying about a loved
one in surgery.
One of the most surprising bene-
fits has been the effect the dogs
have had on staff morale. When
staff members see one of the dogs
walking down the hallway, their
faces instantly light up, and many of them have treats at the
ready. We partnered with a non-profit pet-visitation service that
trains dogs for healthcare environments. We ask each owner to
make sure their dog receives a bath the night before they visit. In
addition, each dog has to be up on his vaccines and treated for
fleas.
Lee Halloran
Beebe Medical Center
Lewes, Del.
lhalloran@beebehealthcare.org
Pet Therapy Dogs Work the Waiting Room
POWER PUPS
