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Doggone Good
Therapy!
K O O T E N A I H E A LT H R E H A B I L I TAT I O N S E R V I C E S U S E S
C A N I N E C O M PA N I O N S T O H E L P C H I L D R E N
By Andrea Nagel
For years
we have
been told of the health
benefits pets bring to
their families. In addition
to companionship and
comfort, pets are cited by
the CDC to lower blood
pressure, cholesterol
and overall stress, and
even help increase
physical activity. Service
animals not only serve
as guidance for the
blind but are now also
trained to alert others
of seizures, stroke and
blood sugar levels. They
also provide needed
support for patients with
anxiety, autism and other
conditions.
Hospitals and
rehabilitation centers
nationwide are bringing
the health benefits of
dogs straight to their
patients through therapy
dog programs such as the
one at Kootenai Health.
Huck is a black lab who participates as a therapy dog at Kootenai.
“Since Huck has been a therapy dog, we have seen him bring joy to so
many people at the hospital,” said Bob Reynolds, Huck’s owner. “We have
had overwhelming response to his visits throughout the hospital, and we
have daily requests for patients to spend time with him. Patients who are
having a hard time or a bad day are instantly happy just from a visit from
Huck. This is an inspiration to continue this program, because it is so
rewarding for us to see him engage with so many people and make them
happy just from a simple interaction.”
Speech therapist Linsey Willoughby and physical therapist Ilka Young are
introducing therapy dogs, like Huck, to their pediatric patients at Kootenai
Health Rehabilitation Services to help lower apprehensiveness and moti-
vate patients, including 3-year-old Cece Granger.
Cece Granger plays with Huck, the therapy dog, with assistance from her speech
therapist, Linsey Willoughby.
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