At the Life Care Center of Nashoba Valley in Littleton, Mass., it's not uncommon to see patients hanging out by the saltwater-fish tank, or out for a stroll around a pasture filled with grass-grazing animals like goats and llamas, according to an article on The Sacramento Bee website.
Director Ellen Levinson said while the merits of "pet therapy" have been adopted and used at various skilled nursing facilities across the country, it's rare to find chickens and alpacas at a site.
Levinson developed animal therapy and even "llama psychology" further at her facility to bring brightness to patients' days, the article said.
Levinson launched the program, which now has fish, an alpaca, dogs and goats, but it initially started out with just her own pet golden retrievers. Staff now walks a llama named Travis through the building occasionally for a treat.
Having animals on site plays a role in making the facility more enjoyable, Levinson said. It also helps visiting family members feel more at ease, she said, by allowing them a chance to talk about something other than sickness and health in a medical setting.
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