Animal Assisted Therapy

Phoenix Children's Hospital's provides an Animal-Assisted Therapy Program to patients and their families for therapeutic purposes.

Scientific research has shown that a patient's interaction with an animal can provide positive physical and emotional benefits.  It can reduce stress levels and invoke a sense of well-being.

Animal-assisted therapy acts as a catalyst to motivate patients to help themselves. A child will happily take a dog for a walk, or throw the animal a ball, forgetting the pain for a little while and moving closer to going home.

Among the specific benefits of animal-assisted therapy are the ways it motivates children to:

• Get up, move, walk, leave their room, and play.

• Participate in therapy (physical, occupational, and speech.)

• Forget their discomfort or pain.

• Interact more with others.

• Improve their mood.

• Improve their interactions with family and staff.

• Do things that may be a struggle, such as eating, taking medication, or waiting.

Our volunteer therapy animals and owners are trained and nationally certified. Group events and individual bedside visits are requested by the patient's doctors, nurses, occupational and physical therapists, or child life specialists. The program coordinator creates a session with the patient and the team that works toward the patient's treatment goals.

For more information about animal-assisted therapy for your stay at the Hospital, please e-mail the program coordinator, Mary Lou Jennings, or call 602-546-2136.

Your donations count!

The Animal Assisted Therapy Program at Phoenix Children's Hospital is completely funded by the proceeds from special events and donations from individuals, foundations, and corporations. 

Please send your tax deductible check to:

Phoenix Children's Hospital Foundation

attn: Animal Assisted Therapy Program

2929 E. Camelback Road, Suite 122

Phoenix, AZ 85016

- or -

Visit our donation page.