Dogs are a man’s best friend. They are also a patient’s best friend at @Phoenixchildrens. Funded completely by philanthropic support, the PetSmart Charities Paws Can Heal Animal-Assisted Therapy Program has grown to more than 50 therapy animal and owner teams. Animal-assisted therapy provides valuable physical and emotional benefits to children who are faced with a serious illness or injury. Visits from therapy dogs reduce stress levels, help kids forget about their pain and laugh and smile. While a patient may not want to participate in physical therapy, he/she may be willing to go on a walk with a therapy dog or throw a ball to a willing fetcher. Patients, siblings and parents often miss their own dogs, so visits from the therapy dogs provide a comforting sense of normalcy.
