The oldest of its kind in Arizona and approved by the Arizona Department of Health Services in 1990, the nonprofit Banner Health Dog Therapy Program has more than 70 dogs that make more than 50,000 patient visits annually throughout Banner's Arizona region. The program's popularity and value are due not only to the dogs, but also to their masters, the dedicated volunteers who train the dogs and accompany them on these welcome bedside visits.
To demonstrate the effectiveness of dog therapy programs, a 2005 study by UCLA researchers presented at the annual meeting of the American Heart Association showed that just a 12-minute visit with a dog improved heart and lung function in men and women hospitalized with heart failure. This follows previous studies that have shown dog therapy lowers blood pressure, heart rate and cardiovascular risks for patients.
The Dog Therapy program is available at most Arizona-based Banner Health facilities:
- Banner Desert Medical Center
- Banner Good Samaritan Medical Center
- Banner Mesa Medical Center
- Banner Thunderbird Medical Center
- Banner Behavioral Health Hospital
- Banner Baywood Medical Center
- Banner Estrella Medical Center
- Page Hospital
For more information, please contact:
2025 N. 3rd St., Ste. 250
Phoenix, AZ 85004
602.747.GIVE (4483)
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