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ANIMALS CAN help with emotional and physical recovery by providing companionship, reducing stress, and improving mood. This is known as animal-assisted therapy, or pet therapy.
Interacting with animals has been shown to decrease levels of cortisal and lower blood pressure. Other studies have found that animals can reduce loneliness, increase feelings of social support, and boost your mood.
During the 2025 MDS M-Powered: Gone to the Dogs Conference held Sunday on January 26, Joseph Brown and Lorenzo Letts led a compelling and impactful presentation on the role of animals in healing.
Their joint session explored the diverse ways in which animals aid in emotional and physical recovery, differentiating between emotional support animals (ESA) and service and working dogs, leaving attendees inspired and empowered by the power of pet therapy.
Brown, general curator at the Hope Zoo Preservation Foundation and a leader in animal-assisted recovery and care in Jamaica, opened the session by showcasing the increasing integration of therapy animals into rehabilitation programmes across the island. He shared inspiring stories of how animals, especially dogs, are helping individuals recover from physical injuries, addiction, and trauma.
“Animal-assisted therapy has a number of benefits for patients, pet owners and even healthcare providers. It lowers stress and anxiety levels, lowers blood pressure, lowers the risk of heart disease, strengthens immune systems, and increases social interactions,” Brown said.
His presentation emphasised the cultural shift happening in Jamaica, where animal-assisted therapy is complementing traditional recovery methods and providing people with renewed hope and resilience. Brown said that in a study conducted in 1995 in the American Journal of Cardiology, of the 369 patients who suffered a heart attack, those who owned a dog gained a significantly increased survival rate at their one-year doctor’s follow-up appointment.
“We are witnessing a transformation in how people view healing. Animals provide a unique bond that opens doors for emotional healing, allowing people to engage in the recovery process in ways that were once unimaginable,” Brown said.
Following Brown, Letts took the stage with his ESA, Dr Teddy Barks, who is tasked with bringing smiles to the children at the Bustamante Hospital for Children as part of its animal-assisted therapy programme.
Letts’ presentation centred on the emotional and psychological benefits of animal therapy, particularly for individuals dealing with anxiety, depression, and PTSD.
He stated that “animal-assisted therapy programmes help children cope with long-term illnesses and the recovery process, as well as seniors experiencing isolation benefit from the companionship of therapy animals”.
Drawing on his extensive experience working with veterans, long-term care patients, and others, Letts shared powerful testimonials of individuals who have found solace and comfort in their animal companions.
“Animals offer more than just companionship; they serve as agents of emotional change. Through their unconditional love and support, they help people heal from deep emotional wounds, rebuild trust, and foster connection,” Letts said.
Letts also shed light on the important role that pharmacists play in pet therapy. It is the pharmacist’s responsibility to ensure that prescribed medication do not interact with therapy interventions, but rather that they complement it.
“For patients dealing with mental health challenges, pharmacists may advise on how pet therapy can be integrated into their treatment plans and discuss the potential positive effects of animals on psychological well-being,” he explained. “As the understanding of pet therapy increases, we can expect its integration into more medical and therapeutic practices, with healthcare providers continuing to advocate for its benefits.”
The presentation highlighted the two-fold benefits of animal therapy, physical recovery through animal-assisted care and emotional healing through companionship, demonstrating how these approaches work together to create holistic recovery experiences for individuals.
The session was met with widespread acclaim, with attendees in awe of the profound insights and moving stories shared by Brown and Letts. Their collaborative presentation provided a holistic view of the transformative impact animals can have on mental and physical health, sparking new discussions around the integration of animal therapy into more healthcare settings.
English (US) ·