title: Dogs as pets, visitors, therapists and assistants.
abstract: Dogs can play an integral role in the recovery of patients through companionship, animal-assisted therapy, and as assistance dogs. This article will define and differentiate these 3 categories and provide resources for home healthcare and hospice clinicians who may want to include dogs in the plan of care for select patients.
authors.affiliation: Melissa Y. Winkle, OTR/L, is the President, Dogwood Therapy Services, and President Animal Assisted Intervention International, Albuquerque, New Mexico. Anna Wilder, is an Assistance Dog Trainer for Assistance Dogs of the West, Santa Fe, New Mexico. Liberty Z. Jackson, MOT, OTR/L, is a Staff Therapist, Vancouver Public Schools, and Contract Therapist, Dogwood Therapy Services, Portland, Oregon.
authors.forename: Melissa Y
authors.initials: MY
authors.lastname: Winkle
authors.forename: Anna
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Wilder
authors.forename: Liberty Z
authors.initials: LZ
authors.lastname: Jackson
mesh_terms: D056447:Animal Assisted Therapy / Q000379:methods*; D000818:Animals; D004285:Dogs; D006699:Home Care Services; D001841:Human-Animal Bond; D006801:Humans; D054539:Medication Therapy Management