Animals and children go together. Phoenix Children's Hospital's provides an AnimalAssisted Therapy Program to patients and their families for therapeutic purposes.

Scientific research has shown that a patient's interaction with an animal can provide positive physical and emotional benefits. It can reduce stress levels and invoke a sense of wellbeing.

Animalassisted therapy acts as a catalyst to motivate patients to help themselves. A child will happily take a dog for a walk, or throw the animal a ball, forgetting the pain for a little while and moving closer to going home.

http://www.phoenixchildrens.org/patie...