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HL Shorts: How the Buckeye Paws Dogs are Helping Nurses Be Vulnerable

Analysis  |  By G Hatfield  
   April 16, 2025

Dogs provide a safe space for nurses to share how they're actually doing, says this nurse leader.

On this episode of HL Shorts, we hear from Beth Steinberg, associate director of research at the OSU Center for Integrative Health and program director for Buckeye Paws, about the benefits that therapy dogs have on nurse mental health and wellbeing. Tune in to hear her insights.

 

G Hatfield is the CNO editor for HealthLeaders.


KEY TAKEAWAYS

The goal for the Buckeye Paws program, which was launched in 2020, is to bring a wellness program to nurses, to meet them where they're at.

The dogs provide a space for nonjudgemental support for people to feel more comfortable and to be vulnerable about what's going on in their day and in their lives.


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