Channel: Lee Health

Category: Education

Tags: petsreduce blood pressurefurry friendspeech therapytherapycancer patientspain anxietypanic attackgood distractionreduce stressanxietyanxiousrehabilitationcalming presencetherapy dogpet therapyregistered therapy pettherapy petlee health regional cancer centercancerphysical therapyspeech therapistrehab navigationoccupational therapy

Description: It's not the face you would expect to see at the Lee Health Regional Cancer Center, but health experts say it's this face and sweet demeanor that's helping patients get through a difficult time. "We've had patients come in and almost have panic attacks, very, very anxious and then they see her and they sit and play with her and relax," said Stacey Brill, a speech therapist with Lee Health. Harlow is a registered therapy dog, and her Lee Health credentials allow her to care for patients undergoing cancer treatment and rehabilitation. "She's used in a capacity where she will reduce blood pressure, anxiety, stress levels for patients. Many of them do come in and they have high levels of pain, anxiety, so forth, so she's a good distracter for them," explained Brill. When she's not working with patients, Harlow can be found roaming the halls in search of someone who needs a little comfort. "She hangs out in the clinic here and she interacts with the patients that are here for physical therapy, occupational therapy, speech therapy, they might also be here for a rehab navigation visit. The patients absolutely love her and adore her," she said. Even the employees enjoy the calming presence of their furry coworker. View More Health Matters video segments at LeeHealth.org/Healthmatters Lee Health in Fort Myers, FL is the largest network of health care facilities in Southwest Florida and is highly respected for its expertise, innovation and quality of care. For more than 100 years, we’ve been providing our community with personalized preventative health services and primary care to highly specialized care services and robotic assisted surgeries. Lee Health - Caring People. Inspiring Care. Visit LeeHealth.org