Animal-assisted therapy is known to have many positive effects on patients of all ages. Research shows that animal therapy can lower stress and anxiety levels, improve blood pressure, increase patient mobility, and provide an alternative focus from pain.
For more than 90 years, animal therapy has been in place in some form in our pediatric care programs at U-M Health. While much has changed since the days of ducklings paddling in tubs alongside patient beds, our commitment to the healing power of the human-animal bond remains strong.
Paws4Patients
As part of our animal therapy program, we are proud to have six full-time service dogs on our team as part of the Lipschutz-Danzansky Family Paws4Patients Facility Dog Program, which launched in 2016.
Our hospital dogs, Anna, Fawn, Bugle, McCoy, Barney and Dashiel were trained by Canine Assistants to work in a hospital setting. They were specifically matched to Michigan Medicine based on our needs and the types of patients we care for.
While Barney, Dashiel and Fawn work-full time in C.S. Mott Children’s Hospital, Bugle and McCoy work full-time at University Hospital and Anna shares her time between Mott and some of the adult inpatient units at University Hospital. No matter where they are, all dogs are here to comfort patients and families through bedside visits, as well as motivate and assist during certain types of therapy and rehabilitation. Additionally, our staff are always happy to see the dogs working with their patients.
Meet Anna
Anna was one of our first hospital dogs leading the pack since 2016, and is part of the Spiritual Care team at Michigan Medicine. She loves supporting patients, families, and staff of all ages throughout the hospital. Anna cares for people throughout Michigan Medicine: rounding with the Adult Palliative Care Consult Service, caring for parents and children in Mott, helping with staff care and continuing education events, and supporting medical students in the Health, Spirituality, and Religion program. On her breaks, she loves napping with her stuffed animals and visiting the chipmunks and squirrels around the hospital grounds. She is known for being petite, strong-willed, and giving the best hugs. Anna is handled by Christina Wright, LJ Brazier and Sara Adler. Anna was born February 25, 2015.
Meet Fawn
Fawn joined Paws4Patients in 2019 and is part of the Stepping Stones Pediatric Palliative Care Program team at Mott. Fawn is super smart, sweet and silly. She loves coming to work every day to help care for patients with serious illness and their families. When she isn't at work, Fawn loves watching ducks, playing fetch with her friends, cuddling with her family, learning new words, eating snacks, and playing outside. Fawn is handled by Becca Wright, Elizabeth Goudie, Tricia Keefer, Prianka Shakil Brown, and Erinn Louttit. Fawn was born November 24, 2017.
Meet Bugle
Bugle joined Paws4Patients in June 2021 and works at Michigan Medicine with our adult patients and staff. Bugle primarily visits patients in the No One Dies Alone (NODA) & Hospital Elder Life Program (HELP) on various UH units. He also spends one day seeing patients on 6B and in the Adult Emergency Department each week. Bugle is handled by Amanda Schoettinger, Chelsea Mills and Valerie Evans. Bugle’s nickname is Snuggle Bug (given by his mom), and he truly enjoys seeing patients and spreading lots of joy and love to staff throughout the hospitals. Bugle so badly wants to catch a rabbit or bird friend whenever he sees them, and he spends his spare time snuggling, napping and playing with his favorite giant rainbow ball. Bugle was born June 16, 2019.
Meet Barney
Barney was born on December 3, 2020 and joined the Paws4Patients team at Michigan Medicine in July 2022, along with Dashiel. Barney shares his time working at Mott on 12W and with the Nyman Family Unit for Child & Adolescent Mental Health. He is handled by Heather Meyer, Corey Patterson, and Stevi Brewbaker. Barney loves his snuggle time and is always excited to meet new friends. When he’s not at work, Barney enjoys longs walks on the beach and playing in freshly fallen snow. Although he hasn’t quite mastered how to make a snowball, he certainly loves to chase snowballs and search for them in the deep snow.
Meet Dashiel
Dashiel (Dash) was born on December 10th, 2020 and joined the team at Michigan Medicine in July of 2022, along with Barney! Dash works with handlers Julie Juno and Mary Breakey within the Coach Carr Cancer Unit and with Meredith Irvine at Sophie's Place, a designated music therapy clinical space, within the Child and Family Life Department. Dash loves visiting with patients, families, and staff, where he works hard to create a space where everyone can feel supported and cared for. When Dash is not at work, he loves playing with his fur siblings and cousins, always loves to play fetch, and cheer on U of M football! Dash also loves to listen to music with his favorite song being "Puppy Love". His nickname is the "gentle giant" and he is known for being very calm, loving, and loyal. HAIL to Dash!
Meet McCoy
McCoy joined Paws4Patients in August 2021 and works with his teammates in Adult Psychiatry and The Adult Partial Hospitalization Program (PHP) at Michigan Medicine. Our adult psych team hosted a puppy shower to welcome McCoy. He loves playing fetch, watching the squirrels, and his favorite toy is a squeaky pig. McCoy is handled by Ryan Woolwine, Jennifer Eipperle, and Angela Martell. Bugle and McCoy are brothers, so McCoy was also born on June 16, 2019.
Meet Bindi - Retired
Bindi joined Paws4Patients in March of 2018 and spent her first two years at Mott as part of the Wayne and Shelly Jones Family Center team. Currently, Bindi spent her time at Mott on a variety of pediatric units so those patients could receive the benefits of animal therapy. Bindi is sweet, patient and loves to be with people. She is happiest when she is the center of attention and getting lots of pets. Bindi is known for loving everyone, stopping for drive-by pets in the hallway and always wanting a treat. She is handled by Ann Hendrick, Heather Meyer and Anne Chen. Bindi was born March 2, 2016.
Parker - Deceased
Parker joined the Paws4Patients team in October of 2019. Parker worked with the team in the Nyman Family Unit for Child and Adolescent Mental Health and Wellness at Mott. He was super goofy, snuggly and loved cool weather — unfortunately, he was with us for a short time due to a terminal illness. He made an extraordinary impact in the short time he was with us, and we are grateful for the time we had together. We will always remember him bounding through the snow during his first Michigan winter.
Denver - Retired
Denver, along with Anna, started the Paws4Patients program in 2016. He was part of the team in Mott’s Pediatric Intensive Care Unit (PICU) for 5 years and retired in 2021. Denver is patient, gentle and loved to hang out with patients and their families in the PICU. Denver loves going for walks on trails in the woods. His favorite movie is “The Secret Life of Pets” and his favorite actor is Scooby Doo. Denver was handled by Joel Maier, Michele Derheim, Bethany Petersen, Lena Arend and Shae Maier. Denver was born in April 2015.
And remember to follow our dogs on Instagram!
Want to have your very own Paws4Patients merch while helping to support the program? Check out our paws-itively awesome store by clicking link below! All proceeds go directly to the Paws4Patients program to help with things such as dog treats, grooming, veterinary visits, and other costs.
Paws4Patients – Michigan Medicine Fundraising Shop
For more information about our Paws4Patients program, contact:
Jessica Doletzky, CCLS, CTRS
Paws4Patients Program Coordinator
[email protected] or [email protected]
Phone: 734-764
Therapaws
In addition to our hospital dog program, we also host visits from Therapaws of Michigan. Therapaws teams have been visiting University of Michigan Health patients since 1987. These volunteers took a break during the pandemic and are returning during the summer of 2022. Therapaws volunteers (handler and dog) are matched with units and visit patients during regularly scheduled visits. Unit Hosts select and prepare patients to receive visits from these canine companions. Therapaws of Michigan uses a strict screening protocol to ensure the selection of well-mannered dogs of sound temperament and good health.
Under the supervision of trained volunteers, these special dogs visit patients in a variety of settings: their inpatient rooms; during physical and occupational therapy sessions; in waiting rooms, and in other settings deemed appropriate by hospital staff.
Through the Therapaws Pet By Rx program, special requests for dog visits can be accommodated if a team is available outside regularly scheduled visits. To schedule a visit between a Mott patient and a therapy dog, speak to the patient’s unit host, nurse or doctor who will work with our Volunteer Services department to arrange the visit.
Safety and Infection Control
Our facility dog and volunteer-dog handlers always get permission before a dog enters a patient’s room.
To further protect the health of our patients, dogs are unable to visit children who are under isolation precautions. Dogs are bathed on regular schedules and handlers follow strict hygiene and maintenance standards. Everyone who pets the dogs should cleanse their hands before and after to limit the spread of germs.
If you are uncomfortable around dogs or allergic to them, please let the dog’s handler or one of your caregivers know.
Supporting animal-assisted therapy
Our animal therapy programs are made possible only through the generosity of donors. Click here to support our animal therapy programs.