Therapy-dog-Duke-HealthMost of us have felt the soothing sensations of stroking the fur of our pets, especially dogs and cats.  But, is there any actual evidence of this connection between our four-legged friends and us?  Actually, published studies show that animal assisted therapy optimizes healing, and therapy dogs provide benefits across a broad range of medical conditions, including pain. We’ll hear from Canadian Jodi Tuckett whose devoted dog, Suzy helped her fight her way back to a productive life after a severe, painful traffic injury.  Dr. Dawn Marcus, author of The Power of Wagging Tails, then shares some remarkable studies on the value of therapy dogs in helping us feel better.