The healing power of dogs, in 12 photos
Each week, patients at the Support Hospital of Brasilia receive visits from a special breed of therapist: dogs trained to help them recover from disease or injury.
In this Nov. 17, 2016 photo, Elizangela Santos, a 35-year-old receiving cancer treatment, rubs the chin of a Schnauzer dog named Paola in her bed at the Support Hospital of Brasilia, Brazil. Every Thursday, patients here receive visits from a special breed of therapists: dogs trained to help them in their recovery from disease or injury. (AP Photo/Eraldo Peres)
In this Nov. 17, 2016 photo, Priscila Cremer walks a German shepherd named Pacato to visit another patient as they make their rounds as part of a pet therapy program every Thursday at the Support Hospital of Brasilia, Brazil. In addition to receiving training, animals who are part of the hospital's pet therapy program have undergone extensive health checks, including vaccinations and deworming. (AP Photo/Eraldo Peres)
In this Nov. 24, 2016 photo, Jaqueline Castro, a 27-year-old being treated for a degenerative disease, plays with Schnauzer dog named Paola at the Support Hospital of Brasilia, Brazil. The program was set up to help patients with advanced cancer and those living with chronic diseases or recovering from trauma. (AP Photo/Eraldo Peres)
In this Nov. 17, 2016 photo, 20-year-old patient Gleisiane Oliveira watches Shitzu dog named Mille be given a treat on her bed at the Support Hospital of Brasilia, Brazil. The animals are the "stars of the project," according to Nayara Brea who coordinates a pet therapy program for patients with advanced cancer, those living with chronic diseases and recovering from trauma. (AP Photo/Eraldo Peres)
In this Nov. 17, 2016 photo, volunteers lead their therapy dogs into the Support Hospital of Brasilia to visit patients in Brasilia, Brazil. The hospital's pet therapy project began about five months ago and now counts 60 volunteers. (AP Photo/Eraldo Peres)
In this Nov. 24, 2016 photo, Nivaldo Lopes, a 60-year-old geriatric patient, pets a Schnauzer dog named Paola on his bed at the Support Hospital of Brasilia, Brazil. The hospital's pet therapy project began this year and now counts dozens of volunteers who bring their pets to the hospital in Brazil's capital each week. At right is Shitzu therapy dog named Mille, its owner and a doctor. (AP Photo/Eraldo Peres)
In this Nov. 17, 2016 photo, a Schnauzer dog named Paola lays with Jaqueline Castro, who is being treated for a degenerative disease, in her bed during a 15-minute visit at the Support Hospital of Brasilia, Brazil. Patients who are more mobile can bring the pet therapy animals to classes or play with it in the hallways. (AP Photo/Eraldo Peres)
In this Nov. 17, 2016 photo, Soraya Avila shows off her dog Raja running through an obstacle course set up in the hallway of the Support Hospital of Brasilia, Brazil. In addition to receiving training, animals who are part of the hospital's pet therapy program have undergone extensive health checks, including vaccinations and deworming. (AP Photo/Eraldo Peres)
In this Nov. 17, 2016 photo, Herivania de Souza, a 30-year-old being treated for cancer, pets a Shitzu dog named Mille who visits her in bed as part of pet therapy at the Support Hospital of Brasilia, Brazil. Interactions with animals help with both mental and physical rehabilitation. (AP Photo/Eraldo Peres)
In this Nov. 17, 2016 photo, Nivaldo Lopes, a 60-year-old geriatric patient, pets a Schnauzer dog named Paola in his bed at the Support Hospital of Brasilia, Brazil. The hospital's pet therapy program was set up to help patients with advanced cancer and those living with chronic diseases or recovering from trauma. (AP Photo/Eraldo Peres)
In this Nov. 17, 2016 photo, Euripedes Carreira, a 67-year-old being treated for cancer, interacts with a Shitzu dog named Mille and German Shepherd named Pacato, as part of a pet therapy program at the Support Hospital of Brasilia, Brazil. Every Thursday, patients here receive visits from a special breed of therapists: dogs trained to help them in their recovery from disease or injury. (AP Photo/Eraldo Peres)
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