Wearing a volunteer ID badge and green bandana around his neck, "Danny" leaps into the hospital elevator at Providence Saint Joseph Medical Center in Burbank. The Samoyed dog can't wait to spread cheer among the fifth floor Acute Rehabilitation patients who love to stroke his fluffy, white coat.

As one of eight "therapists" in the Pets with Purpose program, Danny visits up to 20 rehabilitation and transitional care patients during weekly or bimonthly "rounds" with his owner/volunteer. Staff members consider his friendly presence as "good medicine" for recovering patients.

"It's probably one of the most effective kind of therapies we have," said Cynthia Mascott, the therapeutic recreation clinical supervisor at Providence Saint Joseph. Speaking at McCambridge Recreation Center in Burbank July 20 to seniors gathered for a Healthy Living Lecture, Mascott explained the many physical, emotional, social and cognitive benefits of pet-assisted therapy.

Physiological benefits, according to Mascott, are lowered blood pressure, a slower heart rate, a decreased level of cortisol (stress hormone), a boosted immune system and pain reduction through pet "distraction."

A pet's presence also aids a patient's psychosocial health by acting as a "social lubricant" or ice-breaker facilitating friendly interaction between individuals. For people with behavioral problems, pets act as a calming influence.

Emotional benefits include stress reduction, an overall sense of well-being, an opportunity to discuss thoughts, feelings and/or pet memories in a safe environment, and unconditional love from one of God's creatures.

For extremely ill patients who may have lost speech or movement because of a stroke or Alzheimer's, pet therapy provides cognitive benefits in the form of sensory stimulation.

"What a rewarding experience it is to see someone's face brighten up," said Danny's owner, Angela Howard.

A first-time dog owner who acquired Danny four years ago from a Samoyed rescue shelter, Howard said she was inspired to become a pet therapy volunteer after seeing ill relatives in nursing homes benefit from pet visits. "What a huge difference it made," said Howard.

After hearing about Pets with Purpose from a co-worker at NBC, Howard brought Danny in for a pet interview. The evaluation process included a medical behavioral and health screening for Danny as well as a three-and-a-half-hour training and orientation and a TB skin test screening for Howard. Angela and Danny were accepted into the program and began visiting patients last October.

"As soon as I get that little green bandana out, he starts whining because he knows he's going visiting," said Howard. "He just loves it, he gets so excited."

For more information on the Pets with Purpose program available at Providence Saint Joseph Medical Center in Burbank as well as Providence Holy Cross Medical Center in Mission Hills, call Cynthia Mascott at (818) 847-4643 or e-mail her at Cynthia.Mascott@providence.org.