A study conducted at Royal University Hospital by a University of Saskatchewan research team found that a 10-minute visit from a therapy dog helped make patients waiting in the emergency department fell more comfortable, happier and less distracted while waiting for emergency care.

Professor Colleen Dell with the University of Saskatchewan says emergency departments can be hectic and confusing places and that most people waiting fell nervous and waiting can increase their pain.

RUH is the first hospital in Canada to allow therapy dogs into the emergency department and Dell says right now they have up to 5 dogs a week visiting the emergency department and during their upcoming study, they’ll have dogs visiting 6 days a week for the next couple of months.

 There’s growing evidence that interaction with a dog increases the production of dopamine, a neurotransmitter which reduces the stress horomone cortisol.

Dell says the Royal University Hospital Foundation granted her team $20 thousand dollars to further research the impact of therapy dog visits on adult emergency department patients.

Dell adds their planning on introducing therapy dogs to patients in other emergency departments including St. Paul’s.