MENTAL HEALTH AWARENESS: The BCHS Dove Program & Pet Therapy

There’s a BCHS Inpatient Mental Health team that supports a number of services within the local healthcare system. One of those services includes the DOVE Program and Pet Therapy. The BCHS communications department shared more about this service this week, in recognition of Mental Health Awareness week.

According to a recent social media post, the DOVE Program stands for Dementia Care, Opportunity, Validation, and Empathy It involves utilizing evidence-based Recreation Therapy techniques to enhance cognition, memory, and support, for the patients in C4 Complex Care and was built on the essence of personalized patient care through recreational therapy, adaptable leisure activities, and holistic healing. It was created by Recreational Therapists Rachel Brown and Julie Thompson.

BCHS also partners with Therapeutic Paws of Canada to offer free therapeutic pet visits. The BCHS based program currently has three dogs, Roxy, Nicky and Mick, who visit with patients in the Inpatient Mental Health unit twice a month According to staff, the therapy pets impact the daily lives of many patients by helping to reduce stress, improve communication for those who struggle and improve an individual’s emotional state