No menu items!

COSTA RICA'S LEADING ENGLISH LANGUAGE NEWSPAPER

HomeTopicsHealthAt Costa Rica hospital, dog therapy becomes part of treatment for child...

At Costa Rica hospital, dog therapy becomes part of treatment for child patients

A group of trained dogs are now officially part of medical treatment for young patients at San Vicente de Paul Hospital in Costa Rica’s Heredia province.

The four-legged therapy began as an experimental program in October 2012, but good results led to the signing of an agreement for an official canine program, hospital spokeswoman Yomayra Méndez Rodríguez said.

Golden and labrador retrievers will soon visit children once a week for one hour, bringing happy dog love and a touch of furry TLC.

“It may seems like a limited time, but we must take into account that it is an intense activity for dogs, because children get excited around them,” Méndez said.

Hospital doctors found that therapies with trained dogs provide many benefits for patients including mood improvement that reduces stress, anxiety and blood pressure.

“We even noticed that after therapy children are more willing to take their medications and can better undergo treatments or medical procedures,” Méndez told The Tico Times.

The dogs belong to the nongovernmental organization Dejando Huella (Spanish for “making an impression”). A group of 10 professionals including psychologists, occupational therapists and veterinarians conduct their training and work at the hospital. Therapy takes place in a special hospital room called the cuarto de las sonrisas, or room of smiles, a play area for children. Therapists also bring the dogs to the rooms of bedridden kids.

Hospital Director Roberto Cervantes said the program has proven to have a positive effect on patients, particularly children who struggle with loneliness or depression due to being far from home. Doctors have reported that dog therapy also is highly constructive for kids who face prolonged hospitalization or who are victims of child abuse.

Méndez said future plans include research to determine the benefits of dog therapy on specific patients, such as those with specific physical or mental disabilities. They also are evaluating options to use the therapy with elderly patients.

Dog therapy at San Vicente de Paul Hospital
(Via Dejando Huella Facebook)

Trending Now

Panama Regains Control of Bocas del Toro After Violent Protests

Panama’s government has regained control of Bocas del Toro province after months of violent anti-government protests sparked by pension reforms, officials announced. The unrest,...

Costa Rica’s Cutris Mining Bill Threatens Massive Environmental Damage

Costa Rica’s government is pushing a controversial bill that could open the entire Cutris district in San Carlos—848 square kilometers—to open-pit gold mining. The...

Prisma Dental in Costa Rica Keeps Customers Happy and Smiling

I am 81 years old and have had teeth removed, bridges, and cavities fixed several times to sustain my ability to eat and function....

Costa Rica and Panama Seek Gold Cup Glory Against North American Giants

With no Caribbean teams advancing, a Central American contingent made up of Panama, Costa Rica, Honduras, and Guatemala heads into the quarterfinals of the...

Guatemala Offers Asylum to Nicaraguan Migrants Deported by U.S.

Guatemalan President Bernardo Arévalo announced on Friday that his country will grant asylum to Nicaraguan migrants deported by the United States who do not...

Why Costa Rica Feels Like a Safe Haven for This Longtime Expat

If someone asked me to sum up why I live in Costa Rica in 5 words or less, my answer could well be: “It...
L. Arias
L. Arias
Reporter | The Tico Times |
spot_img
Costa Rica Tours
Costa Rica Coffee Maker Chorreador
Costa Rica Coffee Maker Chorreador
Costa Rica Travel Insurance
Costa Rica Rocking Chait
Costa Rica Travel

Latest News from Costa Rica