Episode 78: Pet Therapy

On August 1, 2021, our host Dr. Marianne Ritchie was joined by Edward T. Creagan MD FAAHPM for a discussion on Pet Therapy. Interacting with animals can help patients recover from or cope with certain medical conditions. It can also help the patient build relationship tools that can be transferred to human relationships and build strong social networks, vital to healing from mental illness. Tune in to hear what is behind this growing trend!

Dr. Creagan is a Professor of Medical Oncology at the Mayo Clinic College of Medicine, John and Roma Rouse Professor of Humanism in Medicine, and Palliative Care Consultant.

​Your Real Champion: Shamrock Reins

​Each week we highlight the #RealChampions in your life! Your family, friends, or colleagues who go the extra mile to help others in their community. For this week, Your Real Champion was Janet Brennan, Founder and President of Shamrock Reins.

Equine therapy is a tool for navigating the return to civilian life for veterans and first responders. The patient takes the horse into the arena where obstacles are set up. The horse can sense the rider’s anxiety, anger and will not cooperate. Then the pair works together and overcomes the obstacle together, learning coping skills for life. Janet sees her program as an opportunity to thank and serve those who have served our country.