Adorable cats and dogs used as therapy for patients in palliative care
Adorable cats and dogs used as therapy for patients in palliative care
2026-01-28
Some adorable cats and dogs have an unparalleled therapeutic power. Many hospitals are offering therapy dog services, especially for palliative care, allowing patients with terminal illness to interact with the animals and achieve relaxation of the mind and body. The Hsin-Ning Palliative Care Ward at Far Eastern Memorial Hospital is celebrating its 10th anniversary, and they’ve invited all the wards’ therapy dogs and even cats to join the festivities.
When this doctor comes to the hospice ward to make the rounds, a therapy dog known as “Big Brother” is often by her side. This dog often spends time with patients and families. Big Brother is an important member of the hospice care team at Far Eastern Memorial Hospital. And there’s not just dogs, but also cats.
Therapy cat owner
Harper has served for about five years now. It’s strange, but cats can calm people down and make them feel at ease. So sometimes when we are providing services, the person might not be feeling well or doesn’t want to deal with the outside world, and the cat can offer them a lot of comfort.
Harper, a Ragdoll cat, has served in the hospice ward for five years, helping patients to be in a calm mood. What seems like a simple act of companionship actually requires professional training and certification.
Zoey
Therapy dog owner
For example, being touched, waiting patiently for long periods, or being given something it might need to spit out—it will do so without hesitation. And it’s not afraid of things like wheelchairs or crutches.
Big Brother, who this year is almost three years old, has a stable personality. Meanwhile, these two Chihuahuas are also quiet and well behaved. They are also professional therapy dogs. Once a month, there is a session to interact with therapy dogs and cats at the Far Eastern Memorial Hospital.
Ms P
Therapy dog owner
There was an older man. After he was admitted to the Hsin-Ning Palliative Care ward, he really didn’t like getting out of bed or walking. But when we asked him if he’d like to take the dog for a walk, he immediately picked up the leash and said: “Yes, yes!”
Lin Hsin-i
Far Eastern Memorial Hospital counselor
She was in bed and the therapy dog ran straight to her and kept licking her. She was so touched that she cried. She said the last time it was with her, it was only five minutes, so how did it remember her? Even at the end of life, patients experience the same sense of self as they did in the past.
Even though they cannot communicate with words, pets can provide companionship and a feeling of being remembered. This not only comforts the patients, but also helps to heal and ease the burden for busy medical staff.
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#pets #therapydogs #therapycats #cuteanimals #animaltherapy
毛小孩來敲門 治療犬貓走進安寧病房陪伴病友
2026-01-28
毛小孩撒嬌賣萌的模樣，帶來超乎想像的療癒能力，不少醫院都會安排治療犬服務，特別運用在安寧照護上，讓病患與毛小孩互動，達到身心靈放鬆，亞東醫院啟用馨寧病房已經十年，今天慶祝10周年，邀請曾服務過的治療犬貓回來同樂。
醫師到安寧病房，準備巡房，身旁跟著治療犬"大哥"，時常陪伴病人與家屬，在亞東醫院的安寧照護團隊中，是重要的一員，而且不只狗狗，這裡還有貓咪。
[[治療貓主人]]
“波波(服務)大概有五年了，就很奇怪，貓會讓人家心情沉澱，會讓人家有安心感，所以有時會我們去服務，對方剛好身體不舒服，或是他覺得，不想理外世界，貓會給他很大的安慰”
布偶貓"哈波"，在安寧病房服務五年，帶給病患更平靜的心情，而看似簡單的陪伴，其實都得通過專業訓練、取得證照。
[[治療犬主人 Zoey]]
“比如說觸摸，長距離的等待，可能給牠東西請牠要吐掉，牠就要吐掉，不要害怕比如說輪椅啊拐杖啊這種”
今年快三歲的大哥，個性穩定，另一邊，兩隻吉娃娃也是不吵不鬧，都是專業的治療犬，在亞東醫院，一個月會有一次，與治療犬貓互動的時間。
[[治療犬主人 P媽]]
“之前有一個伯伯，他來馨寧病房住了以後，他其實不太喜歡下床或走路，可是我們跟他說，狗狗想散步你願不願意，馬上拿起來牽繩就說，我可以我可以”
[[亞東醫院家醫部諮商心理師 林欣怡]]
“她臥床，(治療犬)就往她身上跑，然後就一直舔她，她就很感動就流眼淚，她就說上次就五分鐘，牠怎麼記得我，病人即使在生命的末期，都可以擁有，自己像過去生活般的一樣的自我的存在”
毛小孩無法用言語溝通，但能給予陪伴與被記住的感動，不只撫慰病患的心，也療癒了工作繁忙的醫護人員。
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