DOVER-FOXCROFT - Everyone appreciates receiving a visitor during a hospital stay. That's especially true when the visitor has four legs, fur and a wagging tail.

The benefits of pet therapy visits have been available for patients at Mayo Regional Hospital since May, and the program has proven so popular that it is now being extended. The hospital is literally going to the dogs.

"It really brings the spirits up," said patient Richard Thompson III, 22, of Guilford. "I've got three dogs at home. It helps seeing a dog in here."

The therapy dogs are also a big hit with hospital nurses.

"The staff loves it," said Mary Knox, RN, nurse manager of Mayo's medical/ surgical unit. "They enjoy the dogs being here and we get so many positive comments from patients."

Pet therapy programs have been shown to help patients achieve positive health effects such as decreasing blood pressure levels, stress and anxiety. Visits can result in fewer requests for pain medication, and shorter recovery times. The presence of pets provides a break from the normal hospital routine, serves as a source of affection and companionship, and helps patients feel connected with the outside world.

Pet therapy is provided by trained volunteers whose dogs have been certified through Therapy Dogs, Incorporated or Therapy Dogs, International. All therapy dogs display Mayo Regional Hospital identification badges.

Volunteer therapy dog teams at Mayo include Phyllis Crommett of Dover-Foxcroft and her Papillon, Princess; Charlotte Genthner of Milo and her Golden Retriever, Prudence; Gloria Kinison of Sebec and her poodle mix, Spock; Karen McNerney of Dover-Foxcroft and her Keeshond, Kaiser; Gloria Perry of Dover-Foxcroft and her Bearded Collie, Katelyn; and Carolyn Oliver of Ripley and her English Springer Spaniel, Ellie.

The dogs have been visiting patients at Mayo's Oncology Clinic and have been making rounds of the hospital's medical/surgical unit on Wednesday nights from 6:30 - 7:30 p.m. With demand increasing, pet therapy visits are being added on Tuesday afternoons from 1:30 - 2:30 p.m.

The therapy dog program was first suggested last year by Hospital Administrative District 4 director Richard Batchelder of Dexter, who knew of its success at other Maine hospitals and nursing homes.

Mayo then drafted a pet therapy policy and procedure, developed a brochure to explain the program to patients, recruited volunteer handlers and their therapy dogs. All therapy dog volunteers completed a hospital orientation program and were required to comply with Mayo's employee health protocols.

Only screened, certified, adult dogs that have completed physical and behavioral examinations are eligible for the pet therapy program. Dogs are controlled by leash and command during hospital visits.

Nursing staff determine which patients are appropriate for therapy dog visits. Patients who cannot participate in the program are those at high risk of infection, with allergies to dogs or who verbalize a fear of dogs. Pets are not allowed in many areas of the hospital, including the Intensive Care Unit, obstetrical unit and emergency department.

During patient visits, handlers bring therapy dogs into hospital rooms where the patient may pet or hold the animal, or simply view it from the doorway,

In certain circumstances, a patient's own pet (dogs and cats only) may visit the hospital. For a family pet visit, the physician must write an order and arrangements need to be worked out through Mayo's Social Work Department and the nursing staff.

For more information EMAIL Tom Lizotte, Marketing and Development or call (207) 564-8401, ext. 342.