A study at Loyola University Health System found that:

Painkillers. Photo by Yersinia.

Adults who use pet therapy while recovering from total joint-replacement surgery require 50 percent less pain medication than those who do not.

That’s a pretty amazing finding, but not entirely surprising news to a dog lover.

We know our pets can cheer us up, give us a smile or a laugh, make the world weigh a little less heavy.

The article goes on to describe 4 different classes of assistance dog:

Service dogs are trained to assist with physical tasks and provide social support to their partners. These dogs learn 40 commands to enhance the independence of people with ailments ranging from spinal cord injuries to multiple sclerosis.

Facility dogs are trained to work with a professional in a visitation, education or health-care setting. They can perform more than 40 commands designed to motivate, rehabilitate or soothe clients with special needs.

Skilled companion dogs are trained to work with an adult or child with a disability under the guidance of a facilitator. Disabilities served include cerebral palsy, muscular dystrophy, autism and Down’s syndrome. A skilled companion also can serve as a social bridge to people who are not used to relating to a person with disabilities.

Hearing dogs are trained to recognize and alert partners to various sounds, such as a doorbell, alarm clock or smoke alarm. The average service life of each dog is eight years. After that time, the dog retires to live out its golden years as a pet.

[Via : News Release Detail.]

Have you had any experience of dogs reducing pain — physical or emotional? It would be interesting to hear your experiences.