Therapy Dogs

Our therapy dog program utilizes trained volunteers and their personal pets, certified through a nationally accredited organization, to provide comfort, joy, love and a sense of home at the hospital. Volunteers come once a month at minimum and as much as once a week with their four-legged companions. All therapy dogs at the hospital are bathed at least 24 hours prior to their visit, are featured on shareable trading cards and spend time visiting patients at the bedside and in public areas.

Facility Dogs — Dogs On Call Program 

Our Dogs On Call (DOC) facility dogs are trained to work in a specialized environment for more than a year and a half before being matched to a hospital and handler. Our three DOCs work 40 hours per week and wear a special Nemours Children’s vest and badge. They also take a lunch break, like any other valued associate.

DOCs pair with certified child life specialists who coordinate with interdisciplinary care teams to provide a variety of services:

• Comfort and support at the bedside for medical procedures
• Ambulation encouragement for patients post-surgery and in therapy sessions
• A calming presence during episodes of physical and emotional pain
• Opportunities for children to play during long or repeated admissions
• A listening ear during conversations around new diagnoses
• Patient, family and staff psychosocial support