Dogs tour hospital wards to help with patient care
Like 1 Dislike 0 Published on 21 Jul 2015
Johannesburg - July 2007
1.Various of Charlene Kruger (Case Administrator) and two dogs Bobby and Benjamin walking in to wards
2.Various of the dogs interacting with patients
3. SOUNDBITE: (English) Charlene Kruger, Case Administrator
"We just find that the patient interact a lot, our patients are long stay patients and they get very depressed and the moment you walk in with the dogs you see smiles on their faces and without even thinking they tend to touch the dogs and cuddle the dogs and then they start to talk, they start to tell you about their own dogs at home about their family and family members who have got dogs. So you get a lot of interaction and it definitely calms them And make them a lot more peaceful."
4. Various shots, of Charlene Kruger and dogs in the physiotherapy room and interacting with patients
5. SOUNDBITE: (English) Charlene Kruger, Case Administrator
"With the therapy programme we find that we have the issue of cultural and we find a lot of black people are nervous of the large dogs. As from what I understand in their own home environment they have animals but they are not like us who have them to pet and cuddle, the dogs are there for a reason and are there to work. So the interaction is a new thing for them. So we are teaching them as they go and that's why we also introduced the little dog (not seen) for them to handle the dogs and the fishtanks. We also approach people before we bring the dogs in, we don't just walk into a patient we ask the patient first would they like to see the dogs. If they say yes, then would they like to touch the dogs. Otherwise we don't bring the dog in. We do respect peoples space and privacy."
6. Various of Charlene Kruger and dogs visiting patients in their wards
7.SOUNDBITE: (English) Jean Butler, Matron of New Kensington Clinic.
"Our patients have all been through many serious illness's and many patients have suffered serious accidents and animals are wonderful, they are non-judgmental, they are comforting and also they help patients relax. Many of our patients have animals at home and it brings back wonderful memories for our patients. Physically it helps them, some patients are able to walk the dog sometimes the therapists utilise the animals in their therapy to brush the dogs, especially when a patient has had a stroke on the affected side they could actually take a brush and gently brush the animal."
8. Various of Charlene Kruger and dogs
9. SOUNDBITE: (English) Terry McCrystal, Former patient of the New Kensington Clinic
"It was lovely to come have them play with you because they were so well trained. Charlene looks after them and trains them so well and it used to make a heck of a difference to .everybody who could play with the dogs. They would bring the ball to you, bring their toys to us, and because you could throw the toys.. They were very well trained. It was tremendous to be able to enjoy yourself with the dog it takes your mind of the situation, it was exceptionally good."
10. Various Terry McCrystal with his dogs at his home
11. Wide of dogs, Bobby and Benjamin resting in the Hospital
LEAD IN :
Animal-assisted therapy is becoming popular in hospital wards across the world.
It's done under the supervision of a physician, psychologist, physical therapist or other practitioner with specific goals in mind.
Nowadays dogs are being used in hospitals, nursing homes, rehabilitation centres, prisons and facilities for the physically and mentally challenged.
STORYLINE :
Animals are not normally permitted in hospitals.
But these golden retrievers are the latest recruits at the New Kensington Clinic in Johannesburg, South Africa.
The dogs, Bobby and Benjamin, tour the wards visiting patients with hospital worker Charlene Kruger.
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