Four-year-old Bryson pulled the covers up to his chin and then carefully helped tuck in Reno, a 4-year-old Australian cattle dog, who lay curled up beside him.

Staff at Hacienda Healthcare, an Arizona pediatric nursing facility, describes the bond as miraculous. "It's just unconditional love," said Jamie Pepper, who volunteers as a pet therapist at Hacienda. "Reno likes being near him."

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©Jeff Cochran

Pepper and Reno visit patients at the facility every Thursday and she said the results are powerful. "I could come and visit with them or read books or talk, but nothing can do what he can do, which is making somebody relax," Pepper said. "Patients that don't even talk when Reno is around, they may say, 'doggie' or 'good dog."

One of Reno's very patients is Bryson, who has an abnormal growth that deforms his face and affects his breathing and eating, said Meaghan Demers, a licensed practitioner nurse with Hacienda.

"He's very loving," Demers said describing Bryson. "He's very happy. He's very accepting. He loves making new friends."

Demers said Reno's visits to the hospital improve the happiness of quality of life for Bryson and other patients and in the long run, will improve their health.

"Pet therapy is great," Demers said. "They have an opportunity. They can just play with a dog and have fun."

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