The benefits of animal therapy for patients in the hospital are well known. But at Rush University Medical Center in Chicago, hospital staff also benefit from some quality time with furry friends, according to the Chicago Tribune.
As part of a new study, nearly 100 nurses, physicians, students and staffers enjoy cuddles and face licks from three dogs: Rocco, Minnie and Dallis.
Like many hospitals, Rush has used animal therapy for patients. It has even brought in miniature horses, according to the report. Rush's monthly Pet Pause program has existed for patients for over a year now, but recently, Rush nurses began a study to see if the program could help employees ease stress and burnout. Interacting with animals is shown to lower one's stress hormone levels, blood pressure and heart rate, according to the report.
In the study at Rush, the employees get blood pressure measurements and fill out questionnaires rating their stress levels before playing with dogs from a local shelter and animal therapy group. So far, the results have been promising.
"My blood pressure was kind of high when I came in, and it was lower when I left by about 10 points, so that was good," Ben Gerling, a nurse, told the Chicago Tribune.
Benjamin Gonzales, a graduate student in health systems management at Rush, said, "I could feel the big sighs coming out of me when I was with the dogs, so I know that just coming to this has made my day less stressful. This is amazing. I wish it could be every day," according to the report.