Our dogs are our best buddies but they are more than just that; they can aid us in so many ways. They can secure our homes, help us with chores, and they can even detect bombs to ensure the safety of the public. However, they have one function that is often overlooked, and that is how they affect our mental health.
Dogs shower people with unconditional love, and when this level of affection is given to any person, it automatically relieves any stress or anxiety they are experiencing. That is why therapy dogs exist, and one of them is becoming an internet sensation because of how effective she is in making patients smile at a children’s hospital.
This hero pup is, Cheeto. This Yorkshire terrier only weighs 8-pounds, but her heart is bigger than most dogs out there. She is a therapy dog making rounds in the Children’s Hospital of Wisconsin, twice a week, for two hours. She is accompanied by her mom, Diane Weber.
Diane received Cheeto as a gift from her children when they moved out of their parents’ home. Right away, Cheeto and Diane clicked, and they were inseparable ever since. Eventually, Diane noticed how Cheeto is a natural at pleasing children. So she thought of sharing her pup’s talent to the local children’s hospital.
She had Cheeto trained as a therapy dog, and right after graduation, she went to work. Cheeto is an important asset at the Children’s Hospital of Wisconsin. Hospital staff shared that whenever the pooch enters a room, it’s evident that the children’s spirits are lifted. They forget about their worries right away.
On top of this, hospital staff also benefit from Cheeto’s talent. Diane explained that one time, a doctor asked them to follow him. They were led to a room full of doctors, and they were told that these people needed some therapy, too. They sat with Cheeto and petted him for a while. We hope there will be more dogs like Cheeto in children’s hospitals.
Credits: Children’s Wisconsin