Therapy dog offers 28 seconds of calm to 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’s emergency department, demonstrating the significant impact of animal-assisted interventions in healthcare.

The incident occurred 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 hospital bed and staying by the Veteran’s side, his heart rate and blood pressure decreased. This quiet comfort allowed the Veteran to begin discussing his military service, easing his anxiety and enabling medical staff to administer the necessary care.

Romano, who volunteers with Honey, was inspired to honor her father, a Navy Veteran. She witnessed firsthand the comfort dogs provided him throughout his life and now shares that same warmth with other Veterans at the Thomas H. Corey VA Medical Center.

“I saw what dogs did for my dad,” Romano said. “Now Honey and I have the opportunity to give that same comfort to other Veterans.”

The visits are part of a broader initiative to make 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. These benefits have led many healthcare organizations, including the VA, to integrate therapy dog programs into patient care.

While therapy dogs are not a substitute for medical treatment, they complement healthcare teams by fostering moments of trust and connection. Volunteer dog teams across the medical center visit various units, clinics, and waiting areas, sometimes sparking conversations, providing distractions, or simply offering quiet companionship.

Romano sees each visit as a tribute to her father, reinforcing that sometimes, the smallest gestures, like 28 seconds of quiet company, can make the biggest difference.