Earlier this fall, the Presby Pooches: Leashes of Love pet therapy program hit its three-year milestone! Launched in 2017 with just one dog — Lily, a marvelous mutt — the program was created to ease patients’ anxiety and boost staff morale. Since then, Isaac, a golden retriever, Cody, a Great Pyrenees, and Olie, a Brussels Griffon, have joined the team, and the pups have gained celebrity status at the hospital, spreading joy and unconditional love wherever they go.
Out of an abundance of COVID-19 caution, PPMC’s four-legged friends have taken an extended break from visiting patient rooms, but they have been able to stop by a few times throughout the pandemic to comfort staff and offer moments of calm amid the hustle and bustle of the work day. They were especially welcome sights during Nurses Week and Penn Medicine Experience Week. Though social distancing guidelines mean that the dogs can’t bask in the attention of a dozen staff members at the same time, and employees need to sanitize beforehand, the snuggles are always worth the wait.
“Whenever the pooches are here, they really lift people’s spirits,” said Evan Loundas, Volunteer Services coordinator. “Folks are working long hours, struggling with the uncertainties of COVID, and going above and beyond every day. The chance to just take five minutes to sit down and pet a dog can ease some of that tension and offer some relief.”
Over the coming months, Loundas hopes to get all four pooches back on a consistent visiting schedule, and he is looking forward to getting the all-clear to resume normal operations and bring the dogs around to patients again. “Plus, just like with our human volunteers, we’re always excited to expand our programs and broaden our impact, so maybe we’ll be able to introduce more dogs to our team!”