By Robert Frederick, KWMU
http://stream.publicbroadcasting.net/production/mp3/kwmu/local-kwmu-494208.mp3
St. Louis, MO – The American Heart Association recently reported that a visit with a dog eases anxiety and improve the health status of hospitalized heart-failure patients.
Animal-assisted therapy and pet therapy have been going on for decades, but only recently has it come under scientific scrutiny, with researchers in Saint Louis helping lead the way.
KWMUs science reporter Robert Frederick takes a look at this emerging science with an unusual trip to Children's Hospital. He visited patients along with a dog named Nell.