Maggie the Therapy Dog--West Tennessee Healthcare

One of the most recent additions to our child life services comes from a gentle Newfoundland named Maggie, who serves as a pet therapy dog. Pet therapy has been shown to reduce anxiety and increase relaxation, socialization, and motivation among patients of all ages.

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• maggie;
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• ryan;
• newfoundland;
• pet
• therapy;
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• pets;
• wth;
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• tennessee
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[pabloromeroacu]

hi, amazing program. and have a newfoundland for the work is the best choise. they are kind and loving dogs.

greetings

[WestTNHealthcare]

@pabloromeroacu Thank you for your comment. Newfoundlands truly are loving creatures and perfect for child therapy. We are blessed to have the program available to our pediatrics program.

[aramsey43]

I think letting dogs do pet therapy in the hospital is a wonderful idea. I have done pet therapy in nursing homes for years and for some of the patients it is the bright spot of their day. I know it would help make a difference in the patients there.

[WestTNHealthcare]

@aramsey43 Thanks for the comment. Maggie has been coming here for nearly four years. Good luck with your pet therapy endeavors!

[oneshepherdfarm]

I think litting dogs do pet therapy in the hospitals is a great idea. I have also done a lot of pet therapy in nursing homes and it makes the people you are going to see light up!! And dogs that are ment to do this work LOVE IT!!! Using the dogs for pet therapy in the hospitals would really give the kids time to think about other things besides being sick..It is a great idea.

[krispytn1]

This is a great idea. I hope if I am ever in the hospital that I could have Maggie come visit me. I know it would make me feel better.

[librarye]

We have had Maggie here at the public library in Lexington a couple of times, and we love her!

[TheChestie]

If i was sick, i sure would love to have her there!! :)

[SeraphimAssassin101]

The goal of health care is to see a patient's condition improve and for them to reach a point of healing. Providing access to "Maggie and friends" for children and adults could only promote that desired outcome of healing and do so in a manner that is above what any traditional health care provider can do! It could only be a good thing!

[telprop]

Kay & Maggie's love and compassion is obvious! Animals give unconditional love, and children and adults can sense that...Kay's selfless work in training Maggie is beyond belief. If there were more people like Kay and more dogs like Maggie, the world would be a better place. I hope their work will be able to continue to improve the lives and health of children and adults in West Tennessee Heathcare's therapy program.

[dcbivens]

This great...I wish they had a lot more of this...You know this must make these kids day..thanks..Dicky Bivens

[mgpldburg]

There is nothing like a loving dog to make anybody feel better. I think this is a wonderful addition to West Tenn. Healthcare's therapy programs. My mother was bedfast at home for nearly 2 years, and although she was not a dog owner, every time we brought our dog to visit her, it visibly lifted her spirits. Patients of all ages will respond favorably.

[oneshepherdfarm]

Great video,,This is such a great idea