Hey compassionate crew! Ever wonder if dogs can actually help kids feel better in hospitals? A new study says yes—therapy dogs can seriously lower anxiety for children during emergency room visits.
What the study found:
At Riley Children’s Hospital, researchers worked with 80 anxious kids (average age: 10.9). Some kids got standard care, while others also spent 10 minutes with a therapy dog.
Results were paws-itively amazing:
- Kids with therapy dogs felt less anxious
- Parents noticed the difference too
- Fewer kids in the dog group needed anxiety meds
- Almost half had major drops in anxiety levels
Why it matters:
Therapy dogs offer a comforting, medicine-free way to help kids feel safer and calmer in scary situations like ER visits.
Bottom line:
Sometimes, the best therapy has four legs and a wagging tail.
