Study highlights benefits of animal-assisted treatment in stroke rehabilitation
A visit from a therapy animal may do more than lift spirits. A new study in Mayo Clinic Proceedings highlights how animal-assisted treatment can support inpatient stroke rehabilitation. Patients who interacted with therapy animals showed greater engagement in their treatment, increased physical activity and greater mobility than those who did not.
Researchers from the Mayo Clinic have discovered that incorporating therapy animals into inpatient stroke rehabilitation can yield significant benefits. A new study published in Mayo Clinic Proceedings reveals that patients who interacted with therapy animals experienced increased engagement in therapy, greater physical activity, and enhanced mobility compared to those who did not.
The findings suggest that animal-assisted treatment could effectively address common obstacles patients face during stroke recovery, such as low motivation, reduced energy, lack of companionship, and decreased interest in therapy activities.
Therapy dog-handler teams led by trained professionals can engage patients in various activities, including walking, playing fetch, and petting or brushing the dog. Whitney Romine, manager of animal-assisted services at Mayo Clinic, explains that the presence of a therapy dog can significantly alter the dynamic of a rehabilitation session. Patients often report feeling more grounded, safe, and empowered to actively participate in therapy activities, which can have a substantial impact on their recovery experience.
The study, titled "The Impact of Animal-Assisted Treatment on Inpatient Stroke Rehabilitation," outlines how integrating qualified animal-handler teams into patient care could potentially improve overall care delivery. Additionally, the research explores the applicability of these findings across different medical specialties and patient populations.
Brent Bauer, MD, a physician specializing in internal medicine at Mayo Clinic, emphasizes that stroke recovery can be particularly challenging, especially for patients facing barriers such as low motivation or limited energy. The research indicates that animal-assisted treatment may offer a practical and effective approach to enhancing engagement and yielding better rehabilitation outcomes.
The findings of this study have been published in Mayo Clinic Proceedings, with the article authored by Hao-Yu Shih et al. The DOI for the paper is 10.1016/j.mayocp.2026.04.012.
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