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• May 17, 2007 10:16 pm US/Eastern
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  A Purrrfect Therapy

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A Purrrfect Therapy

Cats Are Used To Heal Patients In Hospitals

FT. LAUDERDALE (CBS4) ― Gentle giants, they are, and when they travel through the hallways of North Ridge Medical Center in Broward, they do more than turn heads, they heal people; call it 'pet therapy'.

Meet Charley-Girl and Diesel; Diesel being the main cat, weighs in at 22 pounds.

Dr. Ken Homer, chief medical officer at North Ridge, said pets make patients feel comfortable, more relaxed. "And we see people getting better, quicker," he added. "They're less apprehensive with the procedures they may be going through".

Glenna Tscherner is in her second day of post-heart surgery, and she said the cats are very pleasant, "it gives you something else to think about besides your pain". The cats are soft and soothing.

So as you can see, these are not your ordinary house cats, they're highly trained, with a wonderful disposition to perform on cue.

These cats are registered with the Delta Society, the gold standard of national pet visitation organizations. Susan Muntz, a pet therapy handler, said animals such as these go through rigorous tests. "We simulate situations to make sure they are not going to react badly in a hospital setting".

One patient, Jean Beth Dixon, just can't get enough of them. She suffers from Parkinson's Disease which often stiffens her face, but just one look, and she can smile.

Hospitals were among the first to recognize the healing power of pets: Kelly is a Labrador, and has long been bringing smiles to patients dealing with the stress of illness.

But in therapeutic healing, Diesel and Charley-Girl are unique. They are the only registered cats doing therapy in Florida. Bruce Muntz, another pet therapy expert, said that he's noticed a difference with patients. "Patients depressed in their rooms who don't get out much, we find they tend to perk up", he said, when a pet is brought into the mix.

And patients are happier, which is what any physician will tell you is so vital to a full and speedy recover.

(© MMVII, CBS Broadcasting Inc. All Rights Reserved.)