Animal-Assisted Activity Returns to Doylestown Health, Bringing Smiles and Wags

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masked woman with dog
Image via Doylestown Health.
Joyce Rivas and Pip.

The moratorium on therapy-dog visits to Doylestown Health sites has been lifted, enabling certified canines and their handlers to again stroll hospital corridors. A Doylestown Health blog post unleashed the details of the reinstated Animal-Assisted Activity.

One canine comforter, Pip, was especially glad to be back with owner-handler Joyce Rivas.

Pip, a Cavalier King Charles Spaniel, missed the pooch-to-patient interactions, according to Rivas.

“During our time away from Doylestown Hospital, there was a big void,” said Rivas. “Pip and I enjoy seeing the people and, for Pip, this is her job. We’re thrilled to be back.”

Before showing up in hospital corridors, dog-handler teams undergo a rigorous training regimen. They must be certified for this kind of work, passing several proctored tests to ensure proper behavior. Dogs must be comfortable in busy hallways, unfazed by mechanical beds, able to quietly ride elevators, maintain calm with various types of people, and quietly ignore unusual noises and commotions.

The human end of the leash needs some prep as well. Rivas reviewed internal protocols for hospital visitations, as well as guidelines from the Center for Disease Control and Prevention. She also wore her mask and made generous use of hand sanitizer.

In addition to participating in therapy visits, Rivas mentors others interested in joining the hospital’s therapy program.

More on the hospital’s Animal-Assisted Activity is at Doylestown Health.

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