Elmendorf hospital adds animal-assisted therapy to arsenal of treatments

  • Published
  • By Senior Airman David Carbajal
  • 3rd Wing Public Affairs
ELMENDORF AIR FORCE BASE, Alaska --  The U.S. military has partnered with canines to detect drugs, locate explosives and catch criminals since before World War II. However, recent research indicates a new potential for the relationship between dogs and humans.

Elmendorf's hospital became the fourth Air Force medical group to offer animal-assisted therapy to its patients following a conference here March 12.

At the conference, 3rd MDG officials introduced four pet partner teams who have volunteered to assist treatment at the Joint Venture medical facility.

"This program will be an excellent addition to our hospital," said Col. (Dr.) Paul Friedrichs, 3rd MDG commander. "It has been used and proven to be effective at medical centers including Providence (Alaska Medical Center)."

Pet partners have been trained and registered by the Delta Society, which is a non-profit organization. According to the organization's mission statement, the society is dedicated to improving human health and comfort through interaction with service and therapy animals.

While many species of animals are used in animal-assisted therapy, only dogs will be used at Elmendorf's hospital.

Several breeds of dogs including golden retriever, dalmatian, boxer and German shepherd are currently registered and are slated to begin therapy at the hospital.

"It'll give the patients a sense of home," said Tech. Sgt. Crystal Shepherd, the Family Advocacy Program NCO in charge and the liaison for the therapy program. "How can you not feel better when you're holding a happy puppy?"

That feeling of happiness from the program has been demonstrated by many health-care experts.

"Studies have shown that animal-assisted therapy can help to decrease a patient's blood pressure and stress level, which for some patients can decrease recovery time," said Col. Sherry Cox, 3rd Inpatient Squadron commander.

The therapy will be available upon the patients' request to their respective physicians. Each physician will determine the best method of using access to the animals to assist each patient's treatment.

"We've already received several requests for the animal-assisted therapy come in since we introduced it last week," said Shepherd.

The program is also taking into account the possible allergic reactions of patients.

"If a medical worker or another patient in the clinic has animal allergies, we'll find a way to work around it," said Shepherd.

Nearly all the pet partner volunteers are military family members or currently work on the base.

"This is a great program and I'm thrilled to have the opportunity to assist with it," said Jacqueline Fabrizzio, a current volunteer and a member of the Army Corp of Engineers Alaska District.