(LONGVIEW, Texas) – CHRISTUS Good Shepherd Health System celebrated National Therapy Animal Day on Wednesday with an introduction and blessing of this year’s therapy animals and their handlers.

National Therapy Animal Day was created to recognize the exceptional therapy dogs and other therapy animals that partner with their human companions to bring comfort, joy and healing to people in need.

“Many times, a patient is reminded of a special pet they had earlier in their life and their faces light up as they tell us about them or show us pictures on their phone,” said Jamie Murray, a therapy dog handler. “These are just a few of the wonderful examples of how patients are distracted during a therapy dog visit, even if just for a short time, from their pain, loneliness or even depression.”

Murray along with her dog Lily Grace were one of 11 pet therapy teams that were introduced.

Father Uche blesses the dogs on National Therapy Animal Day.

The pet therapy teams are volunteers of the hospital and log thousands of hours each year serving the needs of patients.

Therapy animals serve many roles, including:

• Providing emotional support and comfort to patients and their families to aid in coping with the stress of hospitalization.
• Normalizing the hospital environment.
• Helping patients reach their treatment goals by providing support during procedures, encouraging movement and promoting play.
• Providing support for pain management.
• Providing support to associates to aid in reducing caregiver fatigue and increasing morale; and
• Offering a sense of unconditional love and acceptance.

Studies have also shown that interacting with therapy animals can help lower blood pressure and heart rate, contributing to improved cardiovascular health.

“Watching people’s faces and body language when they get to interact with one of the animals never gets old,” Murray said. “You witness firsthand the improvement that patients can experience when using a dog to help them move closer to meeting their treatment goals, which then allows them to return home and resume life as soon and safely as possible It is such a rewarding moment.”