They were the only things that could make me smile some days. Another pediatric patient, James Foss, used the pet therapy visits to his advantage. Now, James' room is stacked with dog books, and he even has a breed picked out - a Bernese Mountain Dog just like Halley, a pet who visits the hospital frequently. While dogs make up most of the animals who visit, cats and fish have also made the rounds. Mayo Eugenio Litta Children's Hospital schedules pet visits four times monthly with five different owners.
Children can play with the animals in the playroom or have private visits in their rooms.
Hospital patients are also allowed to have their own pet visit, provided they go through an approval process. Therapy can take a variety of forms, and as many patients at Mayo will tell you, sometimes the best therapy comes on four legs. Individuals with serious heart conditions who own pets tend to have better survival rates than those who aren't pet owners. The elderly show improved alertness when caring for pet birds. Petting a cat or dog can temporarily lower the blood pressure of hypertensive patients.