The University of Kansas Health System is treating a total of 39 COVID patients today, up from 35 yesterday. Other significant numbers:
- 23 with the active virus today, 19 yesterday
- 5 in ICU, 3 yesterday
- 2 on a ventilator, 1 yesterday
- 16 hospitalized but out of acute infection phase, 16 yesterday
Key points from today’s guests:
Chloe Abenes, administrative project coordinator, Volunteer Services, The University of Kansas Health System
- Pet Therapy program has been at the health system for ten years
- Research shows visits from these specially trained dogs help lift spirits and lower blood pressure
- Dogs help people overcome the loneliness they can feel in a hospital
- Pet therapy can also help those with mental problems such as autism
Amy Wurst, pet therapist
- Pet therapy dogs require special obedience training and must have a great temperament
- Infection control is vital when bringing the dogs into a hospital. The dog is clean, gets a wipe down before each visit and is up to date with vaccinations. Handler also sanitizes hands before each visit
- Several organizations in the area, such as Pet Partners, provide training for both dogs and handlers
Walt Davis, pet therapist
- Loves “making those kids happy,” with his dog Cinnabon visiting patient rooms
- Points out that therapy pets and service animals are not the same. Service animals are specially trained to meet the need of the person they belong to.
- When a therapy dog is on a patient’s lap, it releases endorphins which makes them feel good
- If you are thinking about having your dog trained for pet therapy visits, it must have the proper disposition, being calm and well mannered
Dr. Dana Hawkinson, medical director, Infection Prevention and Control, The University of Kansas Health System
- Despite health system COVID numbers higher, the national trend is still lower
- Brain fog continues to be one of the most common long-COVID symptoms
- Researchers are looking into combining flu and COVID shots
- If you are six months or longer from your last booster, it would be good to get the newest booster when it’s available next week
Friday, September 9 at 8:00 a.m. is the next Morning Medical Update. The first regular season game for The Chiefs is just days away, and the first Red Friday is upon us.
Our experts have advice on protecting your voice this season, plus healthy tailgate eating.
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