Get Involved in University Hospitals Pet Pals Animal-Assisted Intervention Program

University Hospitals (UH) offers Pet Pals, a therapy program using trained volunteers and their adult dogs to make short, in-room visits to patients and staff who would enjoy the company of a furry friend. These dogs come in many different sizes and breeds, but the one thing they all have in common is a calm, confident personality and a love of interacting with people.

Research shows pet therapy offers several benefits for children and adults. Pet therapy can reduce stress, promote healing, lower blood pressure, and lift spirits. In addition, pet therapy provides a comforting source of healing touch for patients in the hospital.

“When a patient comes to the hospital, it’s at a time of intense stress and worry. However, when patients see a Pet Pal, their faces, and their demeanor change,” says Diane Pekarek, Marion C. Risman & Family Endowed Pet Pals Coordinator at UH. “No matter how sick patients are, they always want a pet pal to visit them.”

Due to the sad loss of several long-time Pet Pals, and the increasing demand for Pet Pal visits across the health system, UH is currently seeking additional volunteers to join the Pet Pals program. Dogs coming to UH must be therapy certified.

For those interested, or for more information on the Pet Pals program contact Diane at 216-844-6288. All Pet Pals dogs have undergone a veterinary examination and a behavioral screening test and all dogs are bathed before each visit.

Pet Pals visit the following UH hospital locations:

• Cleveland Medical Center (includes Rainbow Babies & Children’s, Seidman Cancer Center and MacDonald Women’s Hospital)
• Ahuja Medical Center
• Parma Medical Center
• Geauga Medical Center
• Elyria Medical Center
• Samaritan Medical Center
• St. John Medical Center
• Portage Medical Center*
• Conneaut Medical Center
• Geneva Medical Center
• Tri-Point Medical Center
• Lake West Medical Center

Our volunteers serve diverse populations of people. We are committed to creating a volunteer force that is representative of the populations we serve. We welcome unique perspectives and experiences in terms of national origin, culture, socioeconomic background, ethnicity, race, color, sex, gender identity and expression, education, age, languages spoken, veteran status, religion, disability, sexual orientation, and beliefs.

*UH Portage only accepts dogs registered through Pet Partners: https://www.uhhospitals.org/locations/uh-portage-medical-center/volunteer-services/pet-therapy