Pet Therapy Program Brings Healing and Joy

BURLESON, TEX. – At Texas Health Huguley Hospital, healing comes in many forms, including a wagging tail and a friendly paw. The Pet Therapy Program, launched in 2023, brings warmth, comfort and a sense of calm to patients, families and team members during some of life’s most challenging moments.
With more than 15 specially trained therapy dogs, this program has become an essential part of the care experience. Each dog, accompanied by its dedicated handler, visits patients and families, offering quiet reassurance, laughter and moments of pure joy. Whether it’s comforting someone at the bedside or providing a happy distraction in a waiting room, these therapy dogs create meaningful connections that words often cannot.

The impact extends beyond Texas Health Huguley patients. For the hardworking hospital team members who face emotionally and physically demanding days, a visit from a therapy dog offers a welcome mental break, lifting spirits and reinforcing the importance of self-care.
“This program is truly a bright spot in our hospital,” said Catrina Brown, pet therapy program coordinator. “A hospital is a very scary place sometimes, leaving patients uneasy and staff stressed, but there is something so disarming about a cold, wet nose and a soft, furry face!”

The hospital partners with the Alliance of Therapy Dogs (ATD) to connect with qualified therapy dog teams. Each dog is trained and certified to provide comfort in hospitals, schools and other environments where people benefit from a sense of calm. Handlers interested in joining the Pet Therapy Program submit an application along with their ATD certification, then the hospital conducts an interview, touring the hospital with the dog to observe how it interacts with people.

“Our dogs bring comfort, hope and healing in a way that medicine alone sometimes can’t,” said Brown. “Watching a patient’s face light up when a therapy team enters their room is a result that can’t be seen on an X-ray or lab test. ”

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By Ana Enriquez

Marketing Manager

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