Like many people, therapy dogs are also missing human interaction

Like many people, therapy dogs are also missing human interaction

Like many humans are missing social- interaction right now -- therapy dogs are also feeling a little lonely.

Some local hospitals have had visitor restrictions in- place since mid-march.

Unfortunately, it's times like these where furry friends are particularly needed.

News 18's micah upshaw tells us more.

:00-05 :21 :44 1:09 b: if i take him for a ride and we drive by a hospital, he gets all squirmy and he thinks we're going to the hospital and we're not and he really feels bad when we pass the hospital.

You can tell how he acts.

M: social- distancing laws are taking a toll on everyone.

But for therapy dogs like teddy, interacting to brighten someone's day is all he knows.

B: currently we're not allowed to go into any facility, whether it be a nursing home, hospital, anything.

It's just too much of a chance of one of us catching it and they're not sure if the dogs can transmit it.

M: teddy would visit hospitals every monday through friday before the pandemic.

Iu health nurse stefanie (re- do) ridoutt -- who's currently working the covid-19 floor says they're all feeling the difference of not having these dogs around.

S: they're just as helpful to the staff as they are to the patients.

There's a lot of sadness that can happen between these walls you know, they just brighten everyone's day.

C: he misses getting out and going somewhere.

M: caroline hanson's therapy dog henry has been visiting local hospitals for four years.

But as her dog is feeling these social distancing effects, so is she.

C: i really miss it, the interactions with people and watching my dog bring smiles to people's faces is really amazing.

M: teddy's owner bob feuer is worried about the long- term effects this distancing could have on therapy dogs.

Right now he's looking into temporary solutions.

B: maybe even get the dogs in our cars with the windows up and maybe drive around the hospital so maybe nurses and all can see the dogs, that might help a little bit.

It's not the same thing as being able to give a pet and everything but if there's something we could do in the meantime we'd love to do it.

M: in greater lafayette, micah upshaw.

News 18.

Some happy news -- teddy celebrated his 14th birthday yesterday.

Today the family is heading to red bird cafe to feed him his favorite food -- hamburgers.

And