Brasilia, Brazil - July 20, 2017
1. Volunteers, dogs in hospital
2. Various of patients petting dogs
3. Various of volunteers, dogs, kids in hospital
4. SOUNDBITE (Portuguese) Nayara Brea, program coordinator:
"According to scientific research, pet therapy can help patients alleviate mental pressure and depression, and cheer them up, which can make their treatment more effective."
5. Volunteers caressing dog
6. Dog
7. Various of patient Andreia petting golden retriever
8. SOUNDBITE (Portuguese) Andreia (no full name given):
"The therapy is brilliant. These dogs make me feel calm and warm, and allow me to forget the troubles of my illness. It's great. I'm looking forward to their visit. I feel it hard to see them off when the treatment ends."
9. Various of people playing with dogs

Therapy dogs are now regularly visiting a hospital in Brazil's capital Brasilia every week, brightening the day of patients as well as hospital staff.

They visit are responsible to comfort patients with terminal cancer and chronic diseases.

"According to scientific research, pet therapy can help patients alleviate mental pressure and depression, and cheer them up, which can make their treatment more effective," said Nayara Brea, the program coordinator.

Andreia, 32, has contracted with gynecological disease and has been in the hospital for four months. The weekly 15-minute visit by these dogs is her best time in the week.

"The therapy is brilliant. These dogs make me feel calm and warm, and allow me to forget the troubles of my illness. It's great. I'm looking forward to their visit. I feel it hard to see them off when the treatment ends," said Andreia.

The therapy dog project started about one year ago and over 60 volunteers and their dogs have joined in the project. According to the project staff, it is not easy to select and train therapy dogs. Normally only one out of 10 applicant dogs can qualify the test.