Study proves animals can help with healing

EL PASO, Texas (KVIA) -- The impact an animal can have on a person's life and metal wellbeing has long been documented. Researchers now say canine companionship is helping a specific set of patients succeed in their recovery.

"We're kind of wired to be connected to nature, and dogs are just particularly good at creating that bond," says Dr. Brent Bauer. He says a caring canine companion can benefit a wide variety of patients. This particular study focuses on whether animal-assisted therapy would make for a more successful recovery after a stroke.

"We're asking them to do challenging things to start moving again, to move differently. It's hard work.

The research found that patients who interacted with therapy animals showed greater engagement in their treatment increased physical activity, had longer mobility and lower stress levels than those with no animals participating in their rehab.

"We already have a very active animal-assisted treatment program here at Mayo Clinic. We're going to expand that to try and meet more and more needs."

Bauer says animal-assited therapy is likely to benefit other patients recovering from different medical conditions as well - mental and physical.