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Mayo Clinic study on animal-assisted stroke rehabilitation

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2026-08-17 21:11 UTC → 2026-08-17 21:14 UTC · added ~~removed~~

A study published in Mayo Clinic Proceedings suggests that animal-assisted treatment can support inpatient stroke rehabilitation. A randomized trial involving 50 hospitalized patients found that those participating in sessions with trained therapy dogs showed higher levels of engagement, increased physical activity, and longer periods of mobility compared to those receiving standard physical, occupational, and speech therapy. Activities such as grooming animals, walking alongside them, or playing fetch helped patients overcome barriers like limited motivation and decreased energy. Whitney Romine, Mayo Clinic animal-assisted services manager, noted that patients often report feeling “more focused, secure, and empowered to engage in therapeutic tasks.” While the initial study focused on engagement rather than long-term motor recovery, researchers indicated that incorporating trained dogs and handlers may improve the dynamic of rehabilitation sessions. The research suggests that incorporating trained therapy dogs and qualified handlers into clinical care can help overcome recovery barriers such as lack of companionship and diminished interest in therapeutic activities. Researchers are exploring how this clinical model could potentially be applied across various medical specialties and different patient populations.

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