Therapy Dog Program Expands to 500 Hospitals After Proving Pain Reduction Benefits

Following the largest clinical study ever conducted on animal-assisted therapy, 500 hospitals across the United States have now integrated certified therapy dog programs into their patient care protocols. The study, published in JAMA, tracked 12,000 patients and found that regular therapy dog visits reduced self-reported pain by 25%, cut anxiety medication use by 48%, and shortened average hospital stays by 1.2 days.

"The data is now overwhelming," said lead researcher Dr. Andrea Morrison of Johns Hopkins University. "Therapy dogs aren't just feel-good extras — they are a legitimate medical intervention." The programs use specially trained and health-screened dogs that visit patients for 20-minute sessions. Insurance companies have begun covering therapy dog visits, recognizing the cost savings from reduced medication and shorter stays.

“The study, published in JAMA, tracked 12,000 patients and found that regular therapy dog visits reduced self-reported pain by 25%, cut anxiety medication use by 48%, and shortened average hospital stays by 1.”