facility dog Archive — Page 1 of 2

Patient Porter Pickett with facility dog Squid.
July 21, 2026

Celebrating the canine connection: Calamari honors Squid

Squid, a facility dog at Monroe Carell Jr. Children’s Hospital at Vanderbilt, helped relieve Porter Pickett’s anxiety throughout cancer treatment.

A smiling woman in a white cap and jacket sits on a couch with a black Labrador-type dog and a tan-and-black shepherd-type dog.
April 29, 2026

Leslie Grissim, MA, CCLS

Meet facility dog coordinator, Monroe Carell Jr. Children’s Hospital at Vanderbilt
Primary handler for Canine Clinicians team member Squid

Pi Beta Phi Rehabilitation Institute dog Norman.
December 19, 2025

Norman, Pi Beta Phi facility dog, celebrates his 9th birthday and new book

Norman, Vanderbilt Health’s first facility dog, celebrated his 9th birthday recently, surrounded by his biggest fans and human and canine co-workers.

A white-and-tan dog wearing a teal harness sits among fallen autumn leaves beside a tree, with a paved path and building in the background.
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.

Three Labrador retrievers—two yellow and one black—sit on a ramp wearing blue comfort-dog vests, with a plush toy between them.
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.

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.