title: Animal-assisted therapy: paws with a cause.
abstract: Ranger, the cardiac Pet Therapy standard poodle, was called upon by a family member to visit Mrs. M, a patient hospitalized for worsening heart failure. Although short of breath, Mrs. M started talking to Ranger as he rested quietly on the bed beside her. She told him in a soft voice that she knew she was sick but "you, my friend, give me strength and courage." Mrs. M died 1 week later. Soon after, the family stated in a survey that the interaction between Mrs. M and Ranger was very important to Mrs. M and that she had looked forward to her visits with Ranger. Mrs. M indicated to her family that Ranger made her feel calm and protected as she faced her illness.
authors: St. Barnabas Medical Center, Livingston, NJ, USA.
authors: Lorraine S
authors: LS
authors: Ernst
mesh_terms: D056447:Animal Assisted Therapy; D000818:Animals; D003142:Communication; D004285:Dogs; D004644:Emotions; D005260:Female; D006333:Heart Failure / Q000523:psychology* / Q000628:therapy*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D061214:Patient Safety; D017410:Practice Guidelines as Topic; D016730:Program Development; D013315:Stress, Psychological / Q000517:prevention & control*; D016896:Treatment Outcome