Northeast Regional Medical Center Now Offering Therapy Dog Program
7/9/2024
Kirksville, MO – Patients and visitors at Northeast Regional Medical Center may sometimes hear the clicking of furry feet walking down the hallways. The hospital offers a therapy dog program as part of the ongoing commitment to provide compassionate patient-centered care.
“The Therapy Dog Visitation Program is a therapeutic service offered to patients being treated in Northeast Regional Medical Center. This therapeutic service utilizes dogs to enhance the emotional, psychological, social and physical well-being of patients,” said Cassie Geisendorfer, RN, ER Clinical Care Coordinator. “The goal of the program is to stimulate feelings of nurturing, playfulness and pleasure; improve sensory integration and tactile stimulation; increase motivation; improve social skills; improve development of fine motor skills; and alleviate feelings of depression, anxiety, and stress.”
Geisendorfer and her therapy dog Luna, a 2-year-old Blue Merle Border Collie, have been a team for one year. Luna holds her Therapy Dog Certification through Therapy Dogs International (TDI), an organization dedicated to the regulation, testing, and registration of therapy dogs for the purpose of visiting healthcare facilities such as hospitals. According to TDI, therapy dog visits have been shown to reduce blood pressure and stress levels in the individuals they interact with. Therapy dog certification requires rigorous and continuous testing, evaluation of temperament, behavior, and veterinarian certified health records.
The goal is for Luna to be on site at least once a week to visit patients and staff.
“Luna and I have loved getting to visit patients and staff, it is so rewarding to be able to brighten people’s day throughout the hospital!” said Geisendorfer.
Luna is quickly becoming popular, with patients and staff asking when they can see her again. Be on the lookout for Luna and Cassie the next time you are on the Northeast Regional Medical Center campus.
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