This annual event allows hospital staff and guests to meet the dogs providing therapy to hospital patients.
This annual event allows hospital staff and guests to meet the dogs providing therapy to hospital patients.
This annual event allows hospital staff and guests to meet the dogs providing therapy to hospital patients.
ROCKFORD, Ill. (WREX) — Healthcare workers and guests got the chance to meet some furry friends Friday afternoon. OSF Saint Anthony Hospital hosted its annual Animal Assisted Therapy Dogs Meet and Greet.
The event invited people to come spend some time with their therapy dogs, learning more about them and their role at the hospital.
Many of the dogs and their owners have been volunteering their time for years, visiting patients who may need some comfort and care when they’re undergoing medical treatment.
“You know we really believe in the program. We love the people who run the program, and my husband was a heart patient, so we know the benefits of animal therapy,” Volunteer, Kate Rehak said.
Rehak and her therapy dog, Yogi, have been volunteering at the hospital for six years, seeing what spending some time with him can do for those missing their furry friends.
“A lot of times people are missing their own animal at home and they kind of transfer their love and affection for their animal at home to Yogi and it’s a wonderful thing. And he’s a great distraction for people. It’s fun to talk about dogs,” Rehak said.
Despite the purpose being to care for the patients, the volunteers said their work extends to hospital staff.
“I’m always glad that we’ve done it because we do see that it brightens people’s day and it’s not easy in the hospital and a lot of times what we do too is visit with the staff and the staff here go through so much every day,” Rehak said.
The therapy dogs go to the hospital about twice a month to visit with patients.
This post was originally published on this site be sure to check out more of their content.
