Eskenazi Hospital’s therapy dogs bring comfort during the holidays

Patty Spitler joined News 8 to share information about how Eskenazi Hospital’s therapy dog program is bringing comfort to patients and staff during the holiday season.

Emily Smith, the animal assisted therapy manager at Eskenazi Hospital, oversees a team of around 20 therapy dogs that visit patients and staff to help alleviate stress, especially during the holidays.

The presence of therapy dogs has been shown to brighten the faces of patients, with some even responding positively during difficult times, such as a cancer diagnosis.

Requests for therapy dog visits come from hospital staff, who identify patients and staff that could benefit from the comfort these animals provide.

The therapy dog program at Eskenazi Hospital continues to provide much-needed relief and joy to those facing the challenges of hospital stays, particularly during the festive season.

To learn more about the program, click here!