University Hospitals Welcomes Two Additional Facility Dogs

“Melena and Blue have made an extraordinary impact on our patients and staff at University Hospitals,” says Diane Pekarek, Marion C. Risman & Family Endowed Pet Pals Coordinator at UH. “We are so grateful to PetSmart Charities for their support through grant funds to expand our program, and to Flexjet for providing a comfortable and convenient transportation services to bring Natasha and Loki to their new homes in Cleveland.”

There are only 150 facility dogs with this highly specialized training working at hospitals across the country. University Hospitals welcomed its first full-time facility dogs in fall of 2020. The dogs are specially trained to keep patients calm before, during, and after medical procedures, and they provide comfort and support to staff, patients and family members in a hospital setting. Unlike therapy dogs, facility dogs train with their handler to assist in duties of their specific work environment.

In addition to its facility dog program, University Hospitals offers Pet Pals, a pet therapy program that uses trained volunteers and their adult dogs, in-room visits to adults and children who would enjoy the company of a furry friend. One cat, one pony, and a goldfish are also part of the Pet Pals program.

“When a patient comes to the hospital, it’s at a time of intense stress and worry. However, when patients see a facility dog or pet therapy animal, their faces, and their demeanor change,” says Diane. “No matter how sick patients are, they always want a pet pal to visit them.”