Comments on: Canine Therapy http://healthblog.ncpa.org/canine-therapy/ Health Care Policy and Reform Insights | NCPA Mon, 21 May 2012 15:56:21 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.3.2 By: Vicki http://healthblog.ncpa.org/canine-therapy/comment-page-1/#comment-59341 Vicki Fri, 09 Apr 2010 19:42:48 +0000 http://www.john-goodman-blog.com/?p=9969#comment-59341 I have to agree with Ken's comment above. This pooch looks much more appealing (and therefor restorative) than a plant. I have to agree with Ken’s comment above. This pooch looks much more appealing (and therefor restorative) than a plant.

]]> By: Devon Herrick http://healthblog.ncpa.org/canine-therapy/comment-page-1/#comment-59315 Devon Herrick Fri, 09 Apr 2010 16:19:59 +0000 http://www.john-goodman-blog.com/?p=9969#comment-59315 Baylor Rehab began experimenting with pet therapy 20 years ago. I wonder how long it will take before psychiatrists offices schedule “pet therapy” sessions, where they bill patients’ insurers for each hour their therapy dog interacts with a patient? The new health reform law requires mental health parity and mandatory preventive care services with no cost-sharing. Can HHS Secretary Sebelius require insurers to cover the cost of getting and keeping a dog for our mental health if it’s prescribed by a doctor? I’m also reminded of the story about the cat “Oscar” that predicted 50 deaths in a nursing home (http://www.john-goodman-blog.com/cat-predicts-50-nursing-home-deaths/). If the dog sleeps next to you, your mental health improves. If the cat sleeps on your bed, you die within the week. How ironic. Baylor Rehab began experimenting with pet therapy 20 years ago.

I wonder how long it will take before psychiatrists offices schedule “pet therapy” sessions, where they bill patients’ insurers for each hour their therapy dog interacts with a patient? The new health reform law requires mental health parity and mandatory preventive care services with no cost-sharing. Can HHS Secretary Sebelius require insurers to cover the cost of getting and keeping a dog for our mental health if it’s prescribed by a doctor?

I’m also reminded of the story about the cat “Oscar” that predicted 50 deaths in a nursing home (http://www.john-goodman-blog.com/cat-predicts-50-nursing-home-deaths/). If the dog sleeps next to you, your mental health improves. If the cat sleeps on your bed, you die within the week. How ironic.

]]> By: Virginia http://healthblog.ncpa.org/canine-therapy/comment-page-1/#comment-59312 Virginia Fri, 09 Apr 2010 15:49:55 +0000 http://www.john-goodman-blog.com/?p=9969#comment-59312 Wow! $20k for a dog. Wouldn't a shelter dog work just as well? And when happens when the dog dies? But, I agree with Paul. A good dog makes life better. Wow! $20k for a dog. Wouldn’t a shelter dog work just as well? And when happens when the dog dies?

But, I agree with Paul. A good dog makes life better.

]]> By: Paul H. http://healthblog.ncpa.org/canine-therapy/comment-page-1/#comment-59308 Paul H. Fri, 09 Apr 2010 15:31:46 +0000 http://www.john-goodman-blog.com/?p=9969#comment-59308 That's what everyone needs. A good pooch. That’s what everyone needs. A good pooch.

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