How do therapy dogs impact patients with acute mental illness?

Therapy dogs provide immediate improvements in reducing loneliness and isolation for patients hospitalized with acute mental illness.

What are the health risks associated with loneliness?

Loneliness is strongly linked to increased risks of heart disease, dementia, stroke, depression, anxiety, premature death, and suicidal thoughts.

Is there research on therapy dogs and mental health patients?

Yes, a pilot study published in Frontiers in Psychiatry examined the impact of therapy dogs on loneliness in patients hospitalized for acute mental illness.

Home / Health / Therapy Dogs Ease Hospitalized Patients' Loneliness

Therapy Dogs Ease Hospitalized Patients' Loneliness

9 Feb

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Summary

Therapy dogs significantly reduced loneliness in psychiatric patients.
This is the first study to examine dog impact on loneliness in acute mental illness.
Loneliness poses health risks comparable to smoking 15 cigarettes daily.

Therapy dogs are proving to be valuable partners in healing for individuals hospitalized with acute mental illness. A pioneering study revealed that the presence of therapy dogs significantly reduced feelings of loneliness and isolation among these patients, a critical factor in their recovery.

Researchers from Virginia Commonwealth University (VCU) conducted a pilot study where 60 patients were assigned to groups receiving therapy dog visits, human interaction, or standard care. The findings indicated that those visited by therapy dogs experienced the most substantial decrease in loneliness.

This research underscores the serious health implications of loneliness, which is linked to increased risks of heart disease, dementia, and premature death. Lead researcher Nancy Gee emphasized that loneliness can be as dangerous as smoking 15 cigarettes a day, particularly for vulnerable populations like older adults and those with mental health conditions.