Hospital Allows Pets to Visit Their Sick Humans

If you have to be at the hospital, you might just want to stay in the Juravinski hospital in Ontario, Canada. After all, this hospital has recently initiated a program called Zachary’s paws for healing, and it allows pets to visit their humans, if they are seriously ill. This program was started by Donna Jenkins, who was inspired by her nephew, Zachary, after he benefited from visits from his dog. Zachary suffered from Hodgkin’s lymphoma.

The visits usually last about one hour and are permitted on a weekly basis. Prior to the time that pets enter the hospital, they are thoroughly cleaned and they are not permitted to be around other patients.

Jenkins had the following to say about her nephew’s visitors:

While Zachary was in the hospital for many weeks and very sick after having a stem cell transplant, he begged to see his dog, Chase. We sneaked Chase into ICU to see him and the effect it had on Zachary was remarkable. When Zachary realized he was not going to survive his cancer, he made me promise to start the organization. We had our official first patient visit September 15, 2015.

“We know that when patients get to see their pet, it can improve vital signs, improve depression and the feeling of isolation, it opens communication back up and it is a reminder for a reason for the patient to get well and return home.”

Juravinski hospital in Ontario, Canada has a program that allows pets to visit their humans when they are seriously ill.

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It is done under the program called Zachary’s Paws for Healing

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“When patients get to see their pet, it can improve vital signs, improve depression and the feeling of isolation,”

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“It opens communication back up and it is a reminder for a reason for the patient to get well and return home”

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“Having a pet visit its human brings some normalcy back to the patient’s life”

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“It takes their mind off the hospital and being sick for a bit”

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“The pet can visit for an hour and can come once a week”

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“Of course, no one is keeping strict time. A good visit is what counts”

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“The pets are relieved to see them and to know they have not lost their human companion”

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You can see more in the video here:

Via: Bored Panda

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