For 28 seconds, the emergency department stood still.
Honey arrived on four quiet paws.
She simply climbed onto a Veteran’s hospital bed and stayed by his side.
Moments earlier, a young Veteran in the emergency department was struggling to remain calm, making it difficult for clinicians to provide the care he urgently needed. Barbara and Honey, a volunteer therapy dog team at West Palm Beach VA Healthcare System, were asked to help.
Within 28 seconds, Barbara watched the Veteran’s heart rate decrease and his blood pressure come down. As Honey rested quietly beside him, the Veteran began talking about his military service. His anxiety eased, and clinicians were able to provide the care he needed.
For Barbara, it was another reminder that sometimes the smallest gestures can make the biggest difference.
For her father
Barbara began volunteering to honor her father, a Navy Veteran. Growing up with dogs, she saw firsthand the comfort and companionship they brought him throughout his life.
“I saw how having dogs around helped,” Barbara said.
Today, she and Honey share that same warmth with Veterans receiving care at Thomas H. Corey VA Medical Center.
Their visits are part of a larger effort to make Veterans feel more at ease while receiving care. Research has shown that therapy dog visits can help reduce stress and anxiety, lower blood pressure, improve mood and encourage social interaction, benefits that have led hospitals and healthcare organizations, including VA, to incorporate therapy dog programs into patient care. Honey’s visits reflect the calming connection researchers continue to study.
Therapy dogs are not a replacement for medical treatment. They complement the work of healthcare teams by helping create moments of trust and connection.
Across the medical center, volunteer dog teams visit inpatient units, clinics and waiting areas. Sometimes they spark conversations. Sometimes they provide a welcome distraction. Sometimes they simply sit quietly beside a Veteran.
For Barbara, every visit is also a tribute to her father.
“I saw what dogs did for my dad,” she said. “Now Honey and I have the opportunity to give that same comfort to other Veterans.”
Small moments can change everything
Sometimes, changing someone’s day doesn’t require many words.
Sometimes, it only takes 28 seconds of quiet company.
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I have two certified therapy dogs and I live in the Greenville SC area. I would love to visit with the vets in the Greenville area with my dogs. We currently are visiting a local hospital and several nursing homes in the area. Please contact me for more information.
The therapy dogs are a great asset to the VA system. I dont have a dog at home, howerever my wife has a wonderful cat that stays with me and always sits by my side. I check my heart rate every morning. my heart rate and my blood pressure will immeditly drop. Im one of those people that enjoys having pets at the VA hospitals, they are a great help.
Thank you too are Dogs and Cats
My last dog, Lucky, lived with me 10 years. She’s gone now, crossed the Bridge, but never a day goes by that I don’t think about her.
Who can I call to have my dog trained to become a service animal
also where do I apply
I have had dogs most of my life and all have provided me with help.
Due to an incident while in the military, I have a problem sleeping through the night (PTSD)
I have had my dogs guard me while I tried to sleep
About a year ago they both passed away, since then, getting sleep is very much harder
I want a dog, too. 80 years old . Agent Orange victim.
Love it Dogs are the best
David Gonzales, I am an 82 year old Viet Nam era Veteran with sever PTSD. I belong to the Fresno VA hospital. I receive the majority of my care at the Visalia cboc. I have been told at the clinic that I can’t bring my dog even into the waiting room of that facility (even with a care provider) . They only permit “service dogs on there property”. I have a 13 pound, very well trained therapy Dog( barks rarely Never urinates indoors. has trained himself to go to the bathroom before entering a building of any kind ). He is my therapy Dog and we are inseparable, my question is this a VA policy or not. I see small dogs at the Fresno VA hospital regularly and no one seems to have an issue. I understand that the larger Dogs I see, always have a service dog vest.
I would. Love. A friend. Like. Your. Dogs. I am disabled. My wife. Works. I like. Canpanion. Friend.
Who qualifies for a service dog?
How çsn I get a theapy dog?
With all if these illnesses I need one of these pets.
I need to know how i can apply for a therapy/ service dog
I am a Navy Veteran .. I now 82 years of age. Where would I go to find a dog and which breed to is a good idea too.
I have had dogs earlier in my life and a friend lives with me who loves dogs very much too.
Please direct me in the right direction so we make a very good choice for a dog which might be helpful to us too.
I can walk and take care of my life’s needs at this time but one often things of the future too. We have had dogs
in the past so realize the steps needed to train them. It all takes time. I would appreciate your guidance.
Many Thanks
Walter May