After a more than two-year hiatus, TMC for Children has welcomed back pet therapy dogs to visit pediatric patients every week.

There are currently five dogs (and their humans) that make regular visits to the unit, and each time they arrive, it is a huge morale boost for staff, visitors and patients.

“When the dogs come to the unit, everyone’s whole demeanor changes,” said Heather Roberts, supervisor of Child Life Services. “Everybody loves the dogs. Many kids won’t open up, except to animals, so it’s really nice to see that. They know it’s not something scary or somebody that is going to do something scary to them. It’s just a friendly, furry face and a safe person. You can tell they feel safe and happy and can forget for a minute that they’re in the hospital. It is so nice to see.”

Parents love the dogs, too – so much so, that when a child declines a pet visit, the parents will go out in the hallway to pet the dogs.

Sharon Raymond and Sharon Selvy and their golden retrievers have been pet partners for 13 years. The duo used to be school teachers. They participate in pet therapy because they miss the children and want to make sure pediatric patients’ stays are happier and more relaxed, and to give them a few minutes to forget about their ailment.

“It is so rewarding to have children, parents and staff light up as they pet, hug and love our dogs,” said Raymond. “The best part is seeing our dogs shake hands, do high fives, roll over for tummy rubs and sit by the children’s beds and just be sweet and loving animals.”

Roberts says they even have patients who ask for the dogs because they remember them from a previous visit.

“These are things they remember and things they want to share with their brothers and sisters at home,” Roberts said. “It makes a big difference in their stay."

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Learn more about pet therapy volunteering here.