therapy dog

May 16, 2022

VUMC therapy dog Will mourned

One of Vanderbilt University Medical Center’s beloved pet therapy dogs, KyleakinTempest, aka Will, died May 14. He was 11 years old.

By VUMC News and Communications
Patient Cole Ringer, 2, and his mother, Emilie, are delighted to interact with volunteers Swoosh the dog and his handler, Michelle Thompson, at the annual Dog Days of Summer Paw-ty on July 17 at Monroe Carell Jr. Children’s Hospital at Vanderbilt. The event featured a dog show, a meet-and-greet with pet volunteers and updates on the Mars Petcare Pet Therapy Fund and the upcoming arrival of Children’s Hospital’s facility dog.
July 24, 2019

Dog Days of Summer

The annual Dog Days of Summer Paw-ty featured a dog show, a meet-and-greet with pet volunteers and updates on the Mars Petcare Pet Therapy Fund and the upcoming arrival of Children’s Hospital’s facility dog.

By VUMC News and Communications
May 2, 2019

Therapy animals’ impact on children with cancer studied

The sight of a dog in a therapy vest trotting down a hospital hallway or being petted by a child lying in a hospital bed is familiar to many, yet the scientific research showing the impact of therapy animals is largely anecdotal, says Vanderbilt University School of Nursing Professor Mary Jo Gilmer, PhD. Her work is changing that.

By Nancy Wise
July 19, 2018

Children’s Hospital to get dedicated facility dog

Mars Petcare and Monroe Carell Jr. Children’s Hospital at Vanderbilt announced July 18 a new collaboration to create the Mars Petcare Pet Therapy Fund to support a dedicated facility dog and staff position at Children’s Hospital with a goal of showing how pet visits improve the health of patients — thus getting them home faster.

By Paige Turner