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UPMC Washington recently threw a birthday party for one of its newest and most popular team members, and this one happens to have four legs and a wagging tail.
Savior, a golden retriever, turned one year old this summer, and the hospital marked the occasion with a full celebration in its Community Room, complete with a dog-friendly birthday cake made with mashed potato and Greek yogurt icing.
Staff members gathered to sing happy birthday as Savior sat contentedly beside his handler, Jennifer Kirschler, senior associate counsel and vice president of UPMC Health Services Group, happily accepting pats and hugs from coworkers throughout the event.
The celebration doubled as the official launch of UPMC Washington’s therapy dog program. Savior, who was professionally trained by VetPets of Southwestern Pennsylvania, began making rounds through the hospital four days a week back in April, visiting patients, families, and staff to offer comfort during stressful or uncertain moments.
Kirschler said Savior clearly understands the difference between work and play. According to her, the moment his vest goes on, he knows he has a job to do and that patients and staff need him, but once he’s home and the vest comes off, he reverts right back to acting like a puppy, running around and playing like any other dog his age.
The event also introduced the Washington Greene Health Foundation, formerly known as the Washington Health System Foundation, and its expanded scope, along with kicking off the organization’s employee giving campaign. Jayna Ronald, a development coordinator with the foundation, said hospitals are increasingly turning to pet therapy programs like this one, pointing to growing evidence that animals meaningfully boost patient and staff wellbeing. She noted that healthcare work often involves difficult and heavy moments, and that having a dog like Savior around brings a real sense of calm and comfort to a workplace that doesn’t always get much of either.
A year into the job, Savior has already become a familiar, steadying presence throughout the hospital, proving that sometimes the most effective addition to a care team doesn’t come with a medical degree at all.
Original story here.
