The use of therapy dogs was started by a registered nurse named Elaine Smith, who in 1976 noticed how well patients were responding to visits by a chaplain and his golden retriever. After observing these benefits in her own patients, Smith started Therapy Dogs International, a program for training dogs to visit institutions and the demand for therapy dogs grew from there.
Central Oregon Daily’s Diane Dean takes a look at how therapy dogs are making an impact on the lives of patients and employees at St. Charles Medical Center.
