Animal-assisted therapy is making a tangible difference to the wellbeing of patients recovering from spinal injuries at a Middlesbrough hospital, thanks to funding from a local home care company. Patients at the Golden Jubilee Regional Spinal Cord Injuries Centre at The James Cook University Hospital, who often face weeks or months of treatment and rehabilitation, are experiencing improved mental health through regular visits from therapy dogs.
Funding Brings Canine Companions to Spinal Unit
Caremark Redcar and Cleveland has funded ten free dog therapy sessions for patients at the spinal injuries unit. The sessions allow patients, many of whom have limited mobility and cannot leave the unit, to interact with dogs in the unit's garden and on walks around the hospital grounds. Dogs like Kyro, accompanied by a trained handler and a spinal staff member, provide companionship and a welcome distraction from the isolation of hospital life.
Patient Stories Highlight Positive Impact
Rebecca Garnett, 37, who has been in the unit for weeks due to a medical spinal injury, said: “The dog therapy sessions have been pretty great and have had a positive impact on me.” Elizabeth Donlan, 54, who has been hospitalised for eight weeks after a spinal infection, echoed this sentiment, crediting the session with improving her mental health.
Staff and Experts Praise Therapy Benefits
Miles Woolfenden, a student physiotherapist from Teesside University, witnessed the joy the dogs bring. He said: “It’s lovely for the patients to have that interaction with the dogs.” Spinal HDU manager Lyndsay Wilson added: “Our patients can be admitted into the spinal HDU and rehabilitation ward for several months, with life-changing spinal cord injuries. Therapy dogs have the power to lift spirits and make people smile, including staff! We all love the dogs. Within dog therapy sessions, patients find comfort, motivation, and connection, as well as improved psychological wellbeing.”
Research Supports Animal-Assisted Therapy
According to recent studies, animal-assisted therapies help alleviate anxiety, reduce stress, and provide a calming effect on the nervous system through the release of oxytocin. This aligns with the positive feedback from patients and staff at the unit.
Caremark's Commitment to Patient Recovery
Michelle Jackson, managing director of Caremark Redcar and Cleveland, said: “We are delighted to support the dog therapy sessions at the Golden Jubilee Regional Spinal Cord Injuries Centre and to see the difference they are making to patients’ wellbeing. Spending time with the dogs can bring comfort, companionship and a welcome boost during what can be a very difficult period of recovery, and we are proud to play a small part in helping patients feel more connected and supported.”
The initiative highlights the growing recognition of animal-assisted therapy as a valuable complement to traditional rehabilitation, offering emotional support that can significantly enhance the recovery experience for patients facing long hospital stays.
