facility dog

December 10, 2025

DogTalk Q&A 

Norman, Squid, and Velour get candid with Pi, an honorary member of News & Communications, when she asks very important questions about treats, sleeping, and if they play like regular dogs.

By Pi Bonvissuto
December 10, 2025

Sit, stay, heal: Meet the facility dogs of Vanderbilt Health 

More than a pet project, facility dogs can lower patient blood pressure, reduce pain perception, ease loneliness and fear and offer an important form of medicine — connection.

By Danny Bonvissuto
Patient Niah Carver hugs facility dog Squid. (photo by Erin O. Smith)
October 1, 2025

Facility dog’s calming presence helps young heart patient cope with anxiety

Squid, 7, is a part of the Canine Clinicians Facility Dog Program at Monroe Carell Jr. Children’s Hospital at Vanderbilt. He provides support, comfort, motivation and care to patients and families.

By Jessica Pasley
August 26, 2025

Pup-tacular duo Kaylor Glassman and Velour fetch top honors

“…the work that Kaylor and Velour are doing together makes a difference for children and families facing tough medical challenges.”

By Christina Echegaray
July 17, 2025

Celebrate Velour, the birthday girl!

Velour Vanderbilt wore her pink party clothes to celebrate her 3rd birthday with patients, family and staff.

By Susan Urmy
Patient Brynlee Pruitt with facility dog Velour and handler, Kaylor Glassman, MS.
July 10, 2025

Velour Vanderbilt is just what the doctor ordered

Monroe Carell Jr. Children’s Hospital at Vanderbilt facility dog “transforms tears to giggles on a daily basis,” said her handler.

By Jessica Pasley
February 28, 2025

Monroe Carell Jr. Children’s Hospital at Vanderbilt welcomes new facility dog Velour

With only a few months on the job, “Vee Vee” as she is affectionately called, is already in high demand and quickly adapting to her work environment.
By Jessica Pasley
February 16, 2024

Monroe Carell Jr. Children’s Hospital at Vanderbilt’s facility dog Squid to appear on “Dolly Parton’s Pet Gala,” airing Feb. 21

August 26, 2022

Vanderbilt experts offer tips for good eye health

Vanderbilt experts offer tips for good vision health during Eye Health and Safety Awareness Month.
By VUMC News and Communications
November 11, 2020

Happy Birthday, Squid

Monroe Carell Jr. Children’s Hospital at Vanderbilt recently held a birthday party for its new facility dog, Squid.
By VUMC News and Communications
August 13, 2020

Facility dog Squid makes Children’s Hospital debut

Every day, thousands of highly trained and dedicated employees enter the doors of Monroe Carell Jr. Children’s Hospital at Vanderbilt. All are part of a team that supports, comforts and provides care to patients and families.
By Jessica Pasley
April 11, 2019

Facility dog helps rehabilitate patients with neurologic diagnoses

The Department of Hearing and Speech Sciences’ newest employee is a physical therapist — but he also has a wet nose and wagging tail.
By Kelsey Herbers
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
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