A pack of therapy dogs have been helping patients at a hospital in the Brazilian capital in an initiative aimed at easing stress and offering emotional support to those receiving treatment.

The University Hospital of Brasília has been using dog-assisted intervention, popularly known as pet therapy, in its mental health unit for the past three years.

Sessions are held inside the psychiatric ward in partnership with the Brasília Institute for Animal-Assisted Interventions (IBIAA), which trains and certifies the dogs.

According to Sílvia Furtado de Barros, head of the unit, the method adopted is the “assisted activity” model, aimed at easing stress, offering emotional support and strengthening patients’ engagement in treatment.

Staff have reported improved moods of patients along with fewer anxiety and depression symptoms and higher motivation since the program’s launch.

"This interaction between animals brings various benefits to people," said Melissa Lopes, president of the IBIAA.

"I had the honor of witnessing a benefit with a patient who was non-verbal when we arrived, and after some interactions, including interactions with Milo, the patient felt comfortable starting to share life experiences and began to sing as well."

The pack, named Cissa, Chico, Magali, Milo and Saphira, are all trained to handle hospital settings.

Sessions take place in groups inside the ward, under supervision of a multidisciplinary team and dog handlers, and are authorized by the hospital’s Infection Control Committee.

AP video shot by: Daniel Alves