Therapy dog provides 28 seconds of calm for Veteran in crisis

A therapy dog named Honey provided a moment of profound calm for a young Veteran in crisis at the West Palm Beach VA Healthcare System, demonstrating the significant impact of animal-assisted interventions in healthcare settings.

The incident occurred in the emergency department when the Veteran was struggling to remain calm, hindering clinicians' ability to provide urgent care. Barbara Romano, a volunteer with her therapy dog Honey, was called to assist. Within 28 seconds of Honey climbing onto the Veteran's hospital bed and staying by his side, his heart rate and blood pressure decreased. The Veteran then began discussing his military service, his anxiety eased, and medical staff were able to administer the necessary care.

Romano, who volunteers with Honey to honor her father, a Navy Veteran, noted the comfort dogs provided him throughout his life. "I saw how having dogs around helped," Romano said. Now, she and Honey bring that same comfort to Veterans at the Thomas H. Corey VA Medical Center.

Their visits are part of a broader initiative to help Veterans feel more at ease during their medical care. Research indicates that therapy dog visits can reduce stress and anxiety, lower blood pressure, improve mood, and encourage social interaction. While therapy dogs do not replace medical treatment, they complement healthcare teams by fostering trust and connection.

Volunteer dog teams regularly visit various areas of the medical center, sometimes sparking conversations, offering distractions, or simply providing quiet companionship. For Romano, each visit serves as a tribute to her father, allowing her to share the comfort dogs offered him with other Veterans.

The brief but impactful intervention highlights how small gestures, like 28 seconds of quiet company from a therapy dog, can make a significant difference in a person's day and overall well-being.