Mayo Clinic study finds animal-assisted treatment aids stroke rehabilitation

A study published in Mayo Clinic Proceedings indicates that animal-assisted treatment can significantly support inpatient stroke rehabilitation. Patients who interacted with therapy animals demonstrated increased participation in their treatment, higher levels of physical activity, and longer periods of mobility compared to those who did not.

The research suggests that incorporating trained therapy dogs and qualified handlers into clinical care can help overcome common recovery barriers, such as low motivation, decreased energy, lack of companionship, and diminished interest in therapeutic activities. Patients engage in tasks like walking, playing fetch, and grooming the animals.

Whitney Romine, manager of animal-assisted services at Mayo Clinic, noted that patients often feel more focused, secure, and empowered to participate in therapeutic activities. The study explores how this clinical model could be applied across various medical specialties and patient populations.