Next meeting: January 11, 2010

Lifelines: The Brain Injury Support Group
meeting at Presbyterian Hospital of Dallas.


The January meeting is scheduled for Monday, the 11th, from 6:30 – 8:00 PM (directions below).

We will introduce the concept of "Animal Therapy" with a hands-on (this means live animals) session. Sara Hunt Harper, R.N., M.S., Ph.D, opened her therapy practice, Stress Management Center, in Plano Texas in 1983, in order to help people improve their quality of life.

Sit, Stay, Heal!

Did you know that animals have been used as healers for centuries? In the 1700s, animals were used to treat the mentally ill. And the fact that animals elicit the relaxation response in humans has been demonstrated in biofeedback literature for years.

While most of the research on animal assisted therapy has been on animals as pets and animals in an inpatient setting, Dr. Sara Hunt Harper successfully uses an outpatient setting.

With over nine years of using therapy pets, Dr. Harper knows the benefits of such therapy. She uses her dogs and cats to make therapeutic interventions with individuals and families, and to teach relaxation skills.

“Most of us,” says Dr. Harper, “are aware that animals are used to assist people who are visually or hearing impaired, and we’ve heard much about rescue dogs assisting where natural or other disasters occur. But few people know that animals are also used in psychotherapy.”

Dr. Harper’s dogs, Brie Ana Marie and Pat, are both Certified Therapy Dogs. Elliot James and Katherine Elise are Cats-in-Training. “It’s hard enough,” she says, “for people to come in for therapy. Having pets integrated into the surroundings makes people more relaxed.”

During the years Dr. Harper has used pet therapy, she’s seen the following results in her practice:

Reduction in the need for pain medication.

Increase in feeling of well-being and social interaction.

Decrease in levels of anxiety.

text from Dr. Harper's website http://sarahuntharper.com/index.html

Find out more about Dr. Harper at http://sarahuntharper.com/about.html


Please send a reply email to Kimberly Aikman (aikmank@gmail.com) or call 214 289 0286 so we know to expect you. Also note that we have moved into a bigger space - Haggar Hall (across from Classroom A).

Directions to Presbyterian Hospital:
Presbyterian Hospital of Dallas is located on Walnut Hill Lane, just east of U.S. 75 (Central Expressway). The meetings are in the

Fogelson Building, Ground Floor, Haggar Hall

Presbyterian Hospital of Dallas

8200 Walnut Hill Lane

Dallas, TX 75231

When turning into the campus from Walnut Hill, the best route of entry may be the driveway prior to the light. The Fogelson Building is to the right when facing the main hospital entrance, and is next to the Margot Perot Center. Using the underground parking is the easiest way to reach the meeting location; if entering from the main floor, cross the foyer (past the stairs) and take the elevators to the ground floor. Haggar Hall is to the left off the elevators.

Remember that parking is now free! Be sure to get your validation sticker at the start of the meeting.

Neither Lifelines: The Brain Injury Support Group nor Presbyterian Hospital of Dallas support, endorse or recommend any method, treatment, or a program for persons with a brain injury. The intent of the group is to provide support and make information available. Attendance in the group is not a substitute for an informed discussion between a patient and his/her health care provider. No endorsement is intended nor implied.