Robotic therapy pets give elderly patients a new leash on life at S.F. General

SAN FRANCISCO — Many hospitals use cuddly, lovable remedy animals to assist sufferers of their restoration however, as a rule, these pets do not arrive in a field. 

“We had actual animals that got here round for some time however they’re solely right here for a couple of hours every week,” mentioned Annelie Nilsson, medical nurse specialist at Zuckerberg San Francisco Basic Hospital. 

Nilsson might have discovered the following smartest thing: robots that look, really feel and sound similar to actual pets.  

“It has been an incredible response,” she mentioned. “Sufferers simply love them. It brings a smile to folks’s faces.”  

It began through the pandemic when Nilsson observed her aged sufferers — a lot of them affected by dementia — had been having an particularly exhausting time. 

“The households weren’t in a position to go to and it will get a little bit lonely right here within the hospital,” she mentioned.  

So Nilsson turned to the San Francisco Basic Hospital Basis and was given a grant to purchase 50 robotic cats and canines. 

Kim Meredith, the inspiration CEO, mentioned she was skeptical till she noticed them in motion.  

“They’re furry they usually’re cuddly they usually’re fabulous,” she mentioned.  

They purr and transfer and might appear so lifelike that, at instances, Nilsson has to remind people they don’t seem to be actual. 

“I had one affected person say ‘I hope that was a contented cat when it was alive’ as a result of he thought it was a taxidermy cat,” she mentioned. 

The robotic pets price as much as $150 every however the reactions from sufferers, Nilsson mentioned, are priceless.  

No want feed them or stroll them.  For Nilsson, it is near-perfect progress. Besides, maybe, for one factor.  

“The one restrict is its battery,” she mentioned. 

WEBLINKS

Zuckerberg San Francisco Basic Hospital and Trauma Middle

Pleasure for All Companion Pets

San Francisco Basic Hospital Basis