NMMC Rehab Patients Look Forward To ‘Pet Therapy’

TUPELO, MISS. (WCBI) – Physical rehabilitation patients at Tupelo’ s North Mississippi Medical Center have a new friend for weekly therapy sessions.

The hospital has launched a “Pet therapy” program at its rehabilitation institute.  Every Wednesday, Charlie, a 10 year old golden retriever and his owner visit patients.

Charlie fetches balls, shakes hands with the patients and helps brighten their day.  The pet therapy program has proven popular with patients,  medical professionals and volunteers.

“I think it’s really good for the patients to interact with the pet as they would at home, provide some distraction which is much needed when they are going through some of the things they go through at in patient rehab,” said Jenni Rogers, of Rehabilitation Services.

“I love dogs and especially, retrievers,  , they are the perfect dog for that type of work, because they are very compassionate, very friendly and Charlie fits the mold really well,” said Jack Balty, a patient at NMMC.

Tricia Goldman is Charlie’s owner and she volunteers through Tupelo based “Comfort Creatures.”  That organization provides pets like Charlie for physical rehab sessions.