When a Silky Head and a Wet Nose are Good Medicine

Healing takes many shapes and forms, and at Washington Health, it can have four legs and a tail. For the past five years, Washington Health’s Outreach of Fur (WOOF) pet therapy program has brought happiness and healing to patients.

Russ Weinberg, the volunteer program coordinator, has two Portuguese Water Dogs who participate in WOOF. “Sometimes we make a quick visit to a patient; other times it’s longer. Either way, it’s a nice distraction for patients and we often see big smiles,” says the retired biotech marketing executive.

Research shows, Weinberg explains, that pet therapy increases cortisol levels and endorphins which can lower blood pressure and heart rate, and stimulate happiness. Pet Partners, an international organization that certifies pet therapy teams, provides supporting evidence.

What Pet Therapy Can Do

• Decrease perceptions of pain
• Improve recovery rates
• Cut anxiety and stress
• Lessen fear and worry

Weinberg adds, “Health care providers give great medical care, but WOOF is something unique. The dogs bring their own kind of ‘medicine.’ They bring happiness during a stressful or sad time for patients and families.”

The program’s dogs, ranging in age from 3 to 12 years, include Labrador and Golden retrievers, Labra- and Bernedoodles, a German shepherd mix, a beagle, and Weinberg’s two Portuguese Water Dogs.

Dog and handler teams are evaluated by Weinberg, and must follow the WOOF policy written by his wife, Kathy Weinberg, MSN, CNS, a critical care clinical nurse specialist at Washington Health.

Any breed can participate, he says, but a dog has to be obedient and in-tune with their handler. “Typically, a dog must be friendly and enjoy visiting patients. If this doesn’t interest a dog, the program won’t be a good match. We always ask a dog for permission to work with them,” Weinberg adds with a smile.

Dogs must be up-to-date on vaccinations, annual veterinarian exams, and tests, in addition to being certified by Pet Partners. Handlers/owners must be at least 18 years old, and dogs must be at least 1 year in age. Volunteers are asked to commit to a minimum of two 90-minute shifts per month.

How to Volunteer

WOOF is looking to add more dog teams. “With more teams, we can visit more patients,” explains Weinberg. The program gets 1,500 requests for WOOF visits a year. Patients are asked when admitted whether they’d like a WOOF visit. Dogs can visit many areas of the hospital, excluding sterile areas like operating and procedure rooms, and patients in isolation.

Weinberg shares many stories of patients helped by the dogs, including a woman in intensive care who had difficulty getting out of bed. “When she saw the dog, she immediately perked up and was able to sit up and visit,” notes Weinberg.

In another anecdote, Weinberg says a patient smiled for the first time in two weeks after spending time with a dog. He sums it up, “The success of the program is measured in smiles.”

For more information on Washington Health and the services they provide, visit WashingtonHealth.com. To learn more about volunteering in the WOOF program, contact Weinberg directly at Russell_Weinberg@whhs.com or WOOF@whhs.com.

Animal Education Program Offered

WOOF is provided at no cost, thanks to the generosity of its volunteers. The program accepts donations. A patient recently gave a gift of $10,000, which allowed WOOF to plan an animal education program.

“The goal is to bring more awareness to the community about the power of pet therapy in healing, and to encourage more pet owners to volunteer with their dogs,” according to Russ Weinberg, program coordinator.

The program will be offered online via Zoom. Register at the links below, or email WOOF@whhs.com.

March 14, noon-1 p.m.

Advocating for your Dog: Recognizing their Stress and Anxiety and What to Do About It

Taylor Chastain, PhD, Pet Partners, Association of Animal-Assisted Intervention Professionals executive director

https://zoom.us/j/97076236104?pwd=rINqfrFmsM24sUuzbbvFy0qNCRVLwu.1

June 27, noon-1 p.m.

Safe Travels with Your Pet

Elizabeth Lynch, DVM, national program educator, handler and evaluator for Pet Partners

https://zoom.us/j/95126952663?pwd=wKPySxDGyUhl26cpuhWFaDMjNw-5ZxX.1

Aug. 8, noon-1 p.m.

Dear Veterinarian: What Should I Feed my Dog?

Joseph Wakshlag, DVM, Cornell University professor

https://zoom.us/j/92657876057?pwd=vOHk5YH30OBcNcEY8wpJMs2nj0BbhU.1

Oct. 10, noon-1 p.m.

Raising a Happy and Healthy Puppy

Gina Caldwell, PhD, university professor

https://zoom.us/j/93291249577?pwd=MSnbCxa4ajwQELqaFGEhxNaJQnpYgh.1