A Day in the Life of a Therapy Dog
Two of our volunteer therapy dog partners strapped on a GoPro camera to show you a glimpse of their experiences with our adult and pediatric patients.
Nearly 50 therapy dog team volunteers join more than 3,200 volunteers who serve in vital roles across NewYork-Presbyterian Hospital’s six campuses. Our volunteers come from unique background, but they all have one thing in common: they are here to help others.
Volunteers are asked to give a minimum of four consecutive hours per week for a minimum of 150 hours. There are a variety of roles that volunteers can take on to fit individual time schedules, abilities and interests. Volunteers may work directly with patients or choose work behind-the-scenes in clerical positions throughout the hospital. Learn more about volunteer opportunities at NewYork-Presbyterian Hospital.
For further information about having your dog assessed to be a therapy dog click here or here.
Click here to learn about “10 Ways Therapy Dogs Are Like Doctors”
Meet Our Therapy Dog Volunteers
Daisy and Wendy
Although Daisy has the cute face of a puppy, she’s actually fully grown. Wendy Cambor (Daisy’s owner) and her family rescued and adopted Daisy about a year and half ago when she was only a year old.
Wendy immediately realized Daisy’s natural inclination for therapy work. She was friendly and engaging with people of all ages, sizes and dispositions. After Wendy’s mom was hospitalized, she knew right away she wanted to volunteer with Daisy at NewYork-Presbyterian Hospital. They’ve been visiting adult cardiac patients every Friday since January 2015.
Cassie and David
Cassie and her owner David Fritz have been volunteering for the past seven years. Cassie, who just turned nine, has been certified since she was one year old. Every Sunday, Cassie and David drive nearly one hour to visit the kids at NYP/Morgan Stanley Children’s Hospital.
10 Ways Therapy Dogs are like Doctors
1. They have to scrub in before they see patients
Before each visit, therapy dogs must take a thorough bath before they see their patients to ensure that the care environment stays clean.
2. They must be identifiable
Both human and canine volunteers are issued their own ID badge that must be worn at all times while volunteering at the hospital.
3. Before they see patients, they often check in with the nurses on the unit
It’s not just the patients that benefit from having a therapy dog on the unit.
4. And then they start making their rounds
Therapy dogs work in almost every area of the hospital.
5. They greet their patients with enthusiasm
It’s hard to tell who is more excited.
6. Sometimes, they need to move in closer to get a better look
Therapy dogs are qualified to interact with patients in various settings with various equipment.
7. They can’t always tell what’s wrong just by examining the patient, so they have to take samples
As healing as dog slobber can be, patients use hand sanitizer after the visit with their canine friends. Therapy dog owners are required to perform hand hygiene as well.
8 …and then consult with their colleagues.
9. There’s nothing more satisfying than making a patient feel better.
…and putting a smile on their face.
10. They are exhausted after a long day of seeing patients
