Hospital del Mar in Barcelona is opening a new chapter in medical care by introducing therapy dogs into its Intensive Care Unit (ICU).
This innovative initiative, led by the hospital in collaboration with the Affinity Foundation, focuses on the positive impact that the presence of these animals can have on the emotional state of hospitalized patients.
This practice, which is a first in Spain in terms of the application of this therapy in critical adults, is based on the accumulated knowledge that interaction with dogs can be beneficial for emotional and mental health.
Jaume Fatjó, director of the Affinity Animals and Health Foundation Chair, stresses that contact with dogs “improves positive emotions and helps to contain or reduce negative emotions such as anxiety”.
The approach not only seeks to generate a positive impact on the well-being of patients, but is also based on scientific data collection.
The researchers are tracking patients’ stress levels and well-being before and after interaction with the dogs, using saliva samples to analyze metabolites as indicators of this emotional state.
The impact of therapy dogs on patients
The implementation of this program involves two weekly sessions of between 15 and 20 minutes per patient, led by two dogs, Vida and Lu, trained specifically for therapy. These sessions, organized with the rigor of hospital and veterinary protocols, are performed on patients who have been admitted to the ICU for more than seven days.
The goal is clear: to explore how the presence of these canine companions can offer meaningful emotional support to those struggling with critical conditions and aid in their recovery process.
This strategy is in addition to other comprehensive humanization initiatives implemented by Hospital del Mar to improve patient stay and recovery.
Therapeutic outings that allow them to see the sea in the company of their loved ones, the use of virtual reality technology to improve their mood and facilitate physical recovery exercises, as well as music therapy programs, have previously been carried out to enrich the hospital experience.
Patient welfare
The commitment to humanizing and improving the well-being of patients has made Hospital del Mar a pioneer in the implementation of these emotional and therapeutic support strategies in the hospital environment.
The therapy dog initiative is currently in a pilot stage that, if successful, could set an important precedent in comprehensive medical care.
The success of this pilot test could pave the way for further implementation of animal therapies in hospital settings, providing valuable emotional support and improving the overall quality of medical care.
