Hospitalized children smile, adults' blood pressure, pulse rates lowered. Disabled individuals gain independence. Help us improve human lives through the "healing power of pets."

Magic, a wheaten terrier, is aptly named-because that's exactly what she delivers to the patients at the rehabilitation, psychiatric and pediatric units of the hospital she and her owner, Doug, visit. Magic sparks gales of laughter during visits by jumping into the nearest vacant chair and wiggling with delight. For Brian, a former patient who was in a traumatic auto accident that resulted in quadriplegia, Magic's visits helped provide the inspiration he needed to find hope in his daily therapy. Now Brian performs his own magic with children by visiting local schools to discuss the vital importance of safety devices like seat belts and bike helmets.

Sometimes the way to a child's heart is through Pet Partners. Manny is a small 10-year-old boy with learning disabilities, including learning skills below his grade level. Though usually very shy and withdrawn, Manny got excited when he saw photos of his teacher's cat, Bandit. Barbara began bringing Bandit to school to visit Manny and her other students. Bandit, a sweet and outgoing ragdoll breed cat, loves the attention he gets from the children. And Manny's contact with Bandit sparked his interest in a cat storybook Barbara bought for him - he is now learning to read.

One of the goals of a hospice is to make life for its residents as comfortable and enjoyable as possible during a very difficult time. That is why the Bailey-Boushay House advocates and encourages visits from Pet Partners like Douglas and his Greater Swiss Mountain dog, Xodi. Because Xodi is so large, with an equally huge 'smile', he helps bring a great deal of cheer and comfort to the hospice residents and their families. Diane, the activities coordinator for the residential program, considers the visits of pets so important, she schedules them into the weekly activities, and even arranges for specific animals to visit residents on a one-to-one basis upon their request.