Doctor Becca is so excited about her job in Pediatric Neurology at Sutter Children’s Center in Sacramento, she trots to work. She’s well-known for her calming bedside manner. Her soothing gaze puts everyone at ease.
Doctor Becca is no regular M.D. That’s just what the children call her. Becca is a yellow Labrador Retriever who is specially trained to provide animal-assisted therapy in hospitals.
Being in the hospital can be stressful for children and adults. To help ease anxiety and lift spirits, Sutter Health employs teams of trained therapy dogs and other pets at several of its hospitals throughout Northern California. These team members even have their own ID badges and “business cards” to tell patients a bit about them.
Many studies show that being with a pet makes you feel good. Petting and playing with an animal for a little as 10 minutes can increase oxytocin in the body, which brings feelings of happiness and empathy. It also lowers the heart rate, decreases blood pressure and reduces cortisol, a stress hormone. These results can make a big difference for people in the hospital.
Other therapy animals in the Sutter network have included a miniature horse named Hope, a Labradoodle named Kingston and a black Lab named Posey. Sutter works with several groups that train the animals to help in a hospital or other facility setting. The pets have a “graduation” when they’re ready to join the workforce. The partner organizations include Canine Companions for Independence, Canine Angels Service Teams and Paws on Call.
Sutter’s therapy pets not only bring joy, but they also play an important role in helping patients recover from stroke, brain injury, cancer treatment and illnesses. The therapy dogs encourage physical activity, which is an important part of recovery. In Acute Rehabilitation, the dogs take patients for walks, play fetch and let patients practice fine motor skills like hair brushing. Working alongside their human handlers, the dogs help children with neurological conditions, such as autism, stay calm during exams and checkups.
CPMC emergency department pediatrician, Vince Tamariz, M.D., says the therapy dog, Posey, helps bring a sense of calm and curiosity to children, reducing fear and anxiety.
“When Posey walks into the room, kids have something to focus on that is a distraction from what is happening with their care,” says Dr. Tamariz. “Even parents admit that Posey helps relieve the stress they feel resulting from the need to bring their child to the emergency department.”