Petting a Dog Does Lower Blood Pressure

Bud and Kathy Schuck and their two therapy dogs, Jake and Ivy Grace, respectively, helped out during last week’s blood drive and both witnessed first hand how comforting dogs can be to us humans.

Several donors were having blood pressure issues. Ivy Grace went over to visit with them and their blood pressure dropped so they could give blood!!

Another donor was close to passing out during her finger stick. Jake went over to visit and kept her from passing out!!

Here’s Kathy’s message to us about their awesome experience.

“It was very rewarding for us to help out.  I know the dogs were a comfort to the employees as well as the donors.  Needless to say the dogs are pooped out!!  We took Wednesday off and they slept all day!  And Thursday was even more tiring because it was the last day and they were extremely busy.  Jake was able to help a donor keep from passing out during her finger stick, and was called in several time to help lower blood pressure.  Ivy Grace was called in for several donors who were having blood pressure issues,  I had heard that the comfort of the dogs could lower blood pressure, now I have seen it.  So many of the cadets thanked us for being the as did the working personnel.  I hear there is another Blood Drive in March and they wanted to know if we would be there.  I was surprised it would be so soon….  any way here are a couple of pictures.  Have a great day and weekend.”