At Whittier, we know the road to recovery can be challenging. That’s why we’re embracing the power of the human-animal bond to comfort, motivate, and give our patients, residents, and staff a whole lot of tail wags.
Animals, with their unique ability to lighten the mood and offer unconditional love, bring a sense of joy and comfort to our therapy programs. Whether it’s the calming presence of alpacas or the playful energy of dogs, these furry (or feathery!) friends play a valuable role in brightening the days of our patients, residents, and staff.
Therapy dogs in training regularly visit Bradford
Whittier Rehabilitation Hospital-Bradford has become a regular stop for training and testing for therapy dogs in the hospital setting. Take Jax, the friendly dog who came in for his final test and observation with Sharon Heffernan from the Alliance of Therapy Dogs. Jax’s gentle temperament and love of attention brought smiles to the faces of staff and patients alike. His presence not only reduced anxiety and sparked conversations but also motivated patients in their physical therapy sessions, inspiring hope and progress.
Arwen, Newman, and Jay, therapy dogs in training, also visited with staff. We loved taking a moment out of our day to pet these amazing dogs, and we’re so excited that Newman is now our official therapy dog at Bradford! (in the photo with his handler, Robin). We are currently working on a schedule for weekly visits, which we will announce soon.
Tessie and her human Michelle stopped by recently. Tessie had been a therapy dog in training, and she had her last observation and graduated to become an official therapy dog! Michelle is currently working with our employee health nurse to become an official volunteer so that Tessie can become our second therapy dog at Bradford.
Finally, the Alliance of Therapy Dogs plans to return with a group of dogs in training for an upcoming “Therapy Dog Day” at Whittier for patients and staff. Stay tuned!
Therapy dogs in Westborough
Leah Carlin, our Director of Rehabilitation Services at Westborough, is currently training our official therapy dog Hunter, who is taking the place of Lily, our beloved chocolate lab who served as a therapy dog for many years. Our staff can’t wait until he graduates and becomes an integral part of our patients’ therapy programs.
In February, John Fletcher from Preferred Transitions Home Health Care brought therapy dog “Z” to visit with staff and patients at Whittier Rehabilitation Hospital Westborough. Our very own Dr. Hefner was thrilled to make his acquaintance and exclaimed, “Z made my day!”
More than just cuddles: the power of animal therapy
While we can’t use the term “certified therapy dog” in all cases, our furry friends play a vital role in therapy sessions. Studies have shown that interacting with animals can lower blood pressure, decrease stress hormones, and elevate mood.
Just like at the Massachusetts General Hospital, where pet therapy has been shown to spark smiles and boost morale, visiting animals at Whittier offers a welcome distraction from challenges and a source of comfort during sometimes stressful days.
At Port Healthcare, Great Danes and Gus lend a paw
Residents at Port Healthcare Center in Newburyport enjoyed a visit with Carlene White from Service Dog Project Inc. out of Ipswich. Carlene brought in three Great Danes trained to help individuals with mobility impairments. The residents enjoyed petting Sizzle, Jiminy, and Locke and were even able to feed them treats from a mini frying pan!
A staff member at Port Healthcare Center regularly brings her dog Gus to visit with patients, residents, and colleagues. Those who interact with him experience many therapeutic benefits as well as a lot of joy and comfort. Gus has even become a Facebook sensation with a regular following. Check him out!
Feathery friends, alpacas, horses, and visits from Clipper at Sippican Healthcare Center
In September, Sippican Healthcare Center welcomed Tweety and Sylvester, an endearing pair of “budgie” parakeets, thanks to a wonderful donation from our community! Their chirps and tweets brighten everyone’s moods every day. Sippican residents also enjoyed the visiting alpacas from Pine Meadow Alpacas, along with baby goats, sheep, and even a tortoise. The elegance and calm of the alpacas were enchanting to all.
Roseanne and Scott from Just Hors’n Around brought their gentle giants Memphis, John, and their little horse Cricket! Something special happened when our residents touched those velvet noses and looked into their soulful eyes.
Registered Therapy Dog “Clipper” and his owner, Louis, regularly visit. Clipper is a Portuguese Water Spaniel who is bilingual—he understands English and French commands! He is a well-behaved and brilliant therapy animal. The residents absolutely adore him and love to give him treats, which he rewards with love and affectionate kisses!
The future of animal therapy at Whittier
We’re thrilled to announce the expansion of our therapy dog programs at Bradford and Westborough. Soon, our trained dogs will interact with patients in therapy sessions alongside therapists and supervisors. These programs and our existing animal visits will provide more opportunities for patients and staff to experience the joy and therapeutic benefits of interacting with animals.
As a patient, Susan Czyski Caparco recently stated, “When I saw that dog, my mood changed. I just became so happy. He is awesome!”
Animals have a unique ability to bring smiles, reduce stress, and motivate patients on their recovery journey. At Whittier, we’re proud to embrace the power of the human-animal bond and offer these furry friends a warm welcome in our facilities.
Stay tuned for more updates on our animal therapy program and the fantastic furry friends who help us to make a difference at Whittier Health Network!
