( CNN ) -- U.S. Rep. Gabrielle Giffords , recovering from a gunshot wound to the head suffered January 8 , is regaining part of her ability to speak and recently asked for toast while having breakfast , staffers said Wednesday . Spokesman C.J . Karamargin would not divulge what else Giffords has said , other than that she has spoken other words `` within the last few days . '' `` It 's very good news , '' he said . Giffords Chief of Staff Pia Carusone told CNN affiliate KMSB in Tucson , Arizona , that the congresswoman made the toast request while eating yogurt and oatmeal Monday . `` I said 'absolutely . ' `` `` It 's just one of many good days that she 's had , '' said Carusone , adding Giffords is progressing in speech , physical and occupational therapy every day . Like at University Medical Center in Tucson , Giffords is befriending the Houston medical staff and is appreciative of the support she is getting , Carusone told KMSB . `` She 's happy . She smiles when you walk in the room . She offers you a hug or a pat on the shoulder . '' The chief of staff declined to comment on whether Giffords understands what happened the day of the shooting , saying that revealing that information should be up to the congresswoman and her husband , Capt . Mark Kelly . Karamargin said Giffords undergoes six hours of therapy each day , which includes `` very aggressive speech therapy . '' Giffords is at TIRR Memorial Hermann rehabilitation hospital in Houston . She was moved there late last month from University Medical Center in Tucson , where she was taken after the shooting at a `` Congress on Your Corner '' event at a Tucson supermarket . Six people were killed in the incident ; Giffords was among 13 injured . Authorities have said they believe Giffords was targeted in the shooting . A 22-year-old suspect , Jared Lee Loughner , is facing federal charges . Giffords ' office said she actually spoke her first words before Wednesday morning , but has been speaking more since then . `` The reason for choosing this rehab facility is because of their track record , '' Karamargin said . `` They are doing a fabulous job and working with her language and speech exercise and the physical therapy part of it . '' CNN Chief Medical Correspondent Dr. Sanjay Gupta called it `` a very important development '' for Giffords . He noted that Giffords was able to follow commands just after the shooting . One of her doctors told CNN Giffords was able to squeeze his hand when he asked her to just after her arrival at the hospital . Doctors have also said she has been following commands -- important , Gupta said , because it shows the ability to understand speech and then execute the command . But speaking herself `` obviously indicates her ability to communicate is there , '' he said -- meaning she can understand speech and also express herself . `` It means a lot in terms of one 's overall brain recovery , '' Gupta said . Giffords was shot in the left side of her brain , where major language centers are housed . Kelly told the National Prayer Breakfast last week that he was able to be in Washington to speak because her condition `` continues to improve . Every day she gets a little bit better , and the neurosurgeons and neurologists tell me that 's a great sign . The slope of that curve is very important . '' Through much of her recovery , doctors said Giffords was unable to speak because of a breathing tube in her neck . Doctors at University Medical Center had said they believed she was trying to mouth words . Kelly resumed training Monday as commander of the space shuttle Endeavour 's upcoming mission . He announced Friday his plan to return to his crew and resume training , saying Giffords is making progress in speech , occupational and physical therapy . Kelly spent the days after the shooting at his wife 's hospital bedside , and NASA had named a backup shuttle commander for the mission in case he could n't return in time . But Kelly last week underwent a simulated week of training in Houston , where Giffords is in the rehabilitation hospital , and NASA officials said they were confident that Kelly would be able to resume command of the mission . Kelly told reporters on Friday that he expects Giffords to witness Endeavour 's launch , scheduled for April 19 . With NASA planning to retire the shuttle fleet , this is expected to be Endeavour 's last mission . Karamargin said that Giffords `` fully understands '' that her husband is flying the shuttle in April and is supportive of the decision . `` I have every intention for her to be at the launch , '' Kelly said . CNN 's Miriam Falco , Jennifer Bixler and Sarah Baker contributed to this report .
Giffords ' therapy was ` ` very aggressive physical therapy , '' aide says . She has been able to ask for help , her spokesman says . She stopped working sometime before Wednesday . She was shot in the head at a public event January 21st .