When patients, family members or team members are having a difficult day, comfort can sometimes arrive with four paws and a wagging tail.

Across WellSpan, pet therapy volunteers and their furry friends walk the halls of our hospitals – bringing joy and smiles to every interaction. The impact their visits have are invaluable – and sometimes the best medicine.

Meet some of our volunteers and their sweet pups as they share their stories about giving back.

Lenny and Sharan
🐾 Murphy, Daisy and Archie (Not pictured: Murphy)

Where do you volunteer?

WellSpan Chambersburg Hospital

How long have you been volunteering?
24 years

What inspired you to get involved in pet therapy?

Years ago when we visited my father in assisted living, we would frequently encounter a woman who lived there and always looked really sad. We had Great Danes at the time and brought one in to visit and as soon as she saw them, she lit up. Witnessing the positive impact that had on her and the overall emotional response from the residents made us want to pursue pet therapy and help more people.

What is your favorite part of volunteering with your pets?

Meeting people and seeing them interact with the dogs. A lot of patients have pets at home and miss that connection they normally have. It means a lot knowing that Murphy, Daisy or Archie can help them during a difficult time. Team members also get excited to see us and I think we can have a positive impact on some of their bad days too. It’s a very rewarding experience.

Do you have a special interaction with a patient that has resonated with you?

One patient was in a car accident five years before we visited her and she could no longer interact with anyone. My dog at the time laid his head on her shoulder and suddenly she tried talking – she hadn’t spoken since the accident. We visited her again the next month and her mother was waiting to see if we could get more responses from her. She moved her index finger as if to call the dog over and then when she left, she waved goodbye. It was a really emotional day for everyone in the room that day.

What is your pet’s favorite part of connecting with others?

They love kids. One nurse has developed a special relationship with Murphy and gives him treats. Archie also knows where every nurse manager’s office is and stops in to say hello.

From left, Daisy and Archie meeting patients and team members. 

Ann
🐾 Willis

Where do you volunteer?

WellSpan York Hospital

How long have you been volunteering?

Three years

What inspired you to get involved in pet therapy?

My neighbor told me about the volunteer program at WellSpan and spoke highly of it. She shared the feeling she got from interacting with patients, their families and team members. I knew it was something I wanted to do once I retired. Once all the pieces fell into place, I found Willis after learning how well Cavalier King Charles Spaniels perform as therapy dogs. He just makes people smile, even if you’re not a dog person.

What is your favorite part of volunteering with your pets?

Interacting and connecting with people. I worked in an office throughout my career and wanted the chance to meet more people and make a difference. It’s the best feeling to help bring comfort and a smile to individuals who may be suffering. We can help take their mind off things. I’ve gotten to know a lot of team members as well and everyone is so friendly. It’s amazing to feel so familiar and such great camaraderie.

Do you have a special interaction with a patient that has resonated with you?

When the police officers were shot in York, pet therapy volunteers were asked to come to the hospital that evening.

The next day, Lt. David Godfrey’s wife invited me into his room. After several visits while he was unconscious, he finally had the opportunity to meet Willis. He immediately warmed up to Willis and looked forward to our visits. It was especially meaningful to learn that he also is a dog handler. Later, I unexpectedly saw him at WellSpan Surgery and Rehabilitation Hospital, and witnessing the progress he had made was incredibly moving.

I feel like we're most effective in the ICU. One day, a patient's wife asked to see Willis and shared that she used to volunteer with her dogs at the WellSpan York Cancer Center. We exchanged volunteer stories and immediately connected.

Her husband was unconscious, and she told me he would have loved to meet Willis. When I offered to return later, she said he likely wouldn't wake up and had been ill for a long time.

His hand was hanging off the bed, and Willis gave him a "get-well" kiss. As soon as Willis licked his hand, his eyes twitched and he began to move, if only for a moment. She cried and said, "You gave my husband joy."

Every now and then, you have encounters that are incredibly meaningful for both you and the patient. We often lose sight of what's most important in life. Experiences like this serve as a powerful reminder of what matters most when caring for patients and supporting families during difficult times.

What is your pet’s favorite part of connecting with others?

Willis loves getting treats! There are certain areas in the hospital where he knows he’s getting treats and is so excited. He enjoys comforting people and making them smile and senses when people are sad or not feeling well. He’s a special little guy who loves people!

Susanne
🐾 Aulfynn

Where do you volunteer?

WellSpan Gettysburg and Waynesboro hospitals

How long have you been volunteering?

11 years

What inspired you to get involved in pet therapy?

After I retired, I wanted to give back to the community and it is an easy way to help make people happy.

What is your favorite part of volunteering with your pets?

Pet therapy has become a very important part of our lives and helps all involved – Aulfynn, myself and the patients. We visit schools, libraries and 911 centers as well and he brings so much excitement everywhere he goes. Aulfynn is a big dog and his size is actually a benefit. He is tall enough that patients can reach him from their beds and don’t have to bend down to pet him. I feel very blessed that Aulfynn and I are members of these volunteer programs where we can provide benefits to a wide range of individuals.

Do you have a special interaction with a patient that has resonated with you?

A young patient missed her dogs at home and when she met Aulfynn, she hugged him and started crying. She was very depressed and said it made her day – it was just what she needed.

What is your pet’s favorite part of connecting with others?

Aulfynn appreciates the attention and love he receives from individuals, especially children. He enjoys when they read to him. He’s also made a lot of friends in team members and gets excited to see them. Some of the nurse stations carry treats for him as well and he always knows where to find them!

Elizabeth
🐾 Happy

Where do you volunteer?

WellSpan Gettysburg Hospital

How long have you been volunteering?

Nine months

What inspired you to get involved in pet therapy?

As a team member, I've always loved when therapy dogs visit the hospital. On a busy or difficult day, a visit from a happy dog can bring so much joy.

For years, I knew I wanted to train a dog for therapy work. When I first decided to pursue it, I was on active duty in the Army and had young children, so I didn't have the time to commit to it. Once I retired from active duty and my children were older, I knew it was finally the right time.

One day, my family stopped to see some Corgi puppies, and 9-week-old Happy came running toward us with a smile on his face. We quickly realized how smart he was and knew he would make a great therapy dog.

A visit from Happy can brighten anyone's day. If you're having a difficult one, a "happy" dog has a way of making it better.

What is your favorite part of volunteering with your pets?

We both enjoy the visits, and meeting people together has been wonderful. I hope we bring others as much joy as therapy dog volunteers have brought to me.

Do you have a special interaction with a patient that has resonated with you? 

I can always tell which rooms want a visit because I hear “aw” and know the direction I need to go. Some patients cry while they hug Happy because they miss their dogs at home. We often share stories about our pets and it can help them feel better.

What is your pet’s favorite part of connecting with others?

Happy especially enjoys being petted, being told how cute he is and receiving treats. He also prances when he gets compliments.

Jen
🐾 Mia

Where do you volunteer?

WellSpan Evangelical Community Hospital

How long have you been volunteering?

Almost two years

What inspired you to get involved in pet therapy?

I’m an empty nester and have more time to do this now. Ever since she was a puppy, Mia was so well-mannered and calm. I want to give back to people and bring smiles and happiness to them.

What is your favorite part of volunteering with your pets?

I love making patients happy. Sometimes they miss their pets at home or feel sad about being in the hospital, and it means a lot to help them smile during a difficult time. It's been such a rewarding experience.

Team members and patients love Mia. It's a win-win for everyone involved.

Do you have a special interaction with a patient that has resonated with you?

A gentleman was upset because it was his birthday and he was in the hospital. Mia sensed he was sad and rested her head on his lap. He got emotional and said, “This is what I needed.” She had never done that with another patient before, and it meant a lot to him.

What is your pet’s favorite part of connecting with others?

Mia loves attention and scratches. She gives her paw to get treats.

Kathy
🐾 Taylor and Reggie

Where do you volunteer?

WellSpan Ephrata Cancer Center and WellSpan Philhaven

How long have you been volunteering?

Eight years

What inspired you to get involved in pet therapy?

The two dog breeds I have are very loving and outgoing. People are always stopping to pet them.

They cheer people up, and we want to help people feel better, especially at the cancer center. For a little while, patients can forget about the difficulties they may be experiencing.

What is your favorite part of volunteering with your pets?

Seeing the smiles they bring to patients' faces is so rewarding. It's nice meeting new people while walking the halls and spending time in waiting rooms.

Whenever we visit a facility, team members also are so appreciative that we're there. They can encounter difficult situations in health care, and it means a lot to know how much our visits mean to them.

I recently lost my dog, Saana, and we used to visit the cancer center and Philhaven together. Saana was the most experienced of my therapy dogs and was loved by everyone who met her, especially the Philhaven team. Over her lifetime, she made more than 400 therapy visits.

She is missed by all whose lives she touched. The team had a sun catcher made with her name on it and hung it on the wall in the office. I can't express how much that meant to me. It's a very special group of people.

Do you have a special interaction with a patient that sticks with you?

I took my first Newfoundland, Tucker, to see a pregnant patient in the ICU. She and her baby’s heart rate were elevated all day. As soon as she started petting Tucker, both of their heart rates lowered immediately. Everyone was crying and it was a really moving experience.

What is your pet’s favorite part of connecting with others?

They love giving kisses and lying close to people. The team also gives them new toys at every visit, and they're always very excited.

We also visit local elementary schools, and Reggie will often relax on the floor with the children while they brush his hair. It creates a very calming environment for everyone.

From left, Reggie, Taylor and Saana. 

Renee
🐾 Daisy

Where do you volunteer?

WellSpan Sechler Family Cancer Center

How long have you been volunteering?

Five years

What inspired you to get involved in pet therapy?

I love animals. When I worked at a nursing home, I saw how much happiness pets brought to others. It inspired me to get my first beagle, Lester, certified.

When he passed away, I took some time away from volunteering and then rescued Daisy and had her certified as well. We started visiting the cancer center again earlier this year.

What is your favorite part of volunteering with your pets?

Seeing the smiles they bring to people's faces is incredibly rewarding. People get excited and look forward to our visits. They'll take photos with the dogs sitting on their laps.

We also visit nursing homes, and residents light up when they see Lester or Daisy. It's really rewarding work, but it can also be emotional when it brings back memories of their own pets. It opens the door for them to share stories.

At the end of the day, it really makes a difference.

Do you have a special interaction with a patient that sticks with you?

Lester visited a woman at the cancer center and when we came back the next week, I learned that she had passed away. Her husband told me that the visit meant so much to her. Those visits may only be 10 minutes but to some people, that small amount of time means the world to them. 

What is your pet’s favorite part of connecting with others?

Getting treats and giving kisses.

From left, Renee with Lester and Daisy. 

WellSpan’s Pet Therapy Program brings comfort, connection and joy to patients, visitors and team members through specially trained volunteer-handler teams and their dogs. All dogs and handlers must be registered with a WellSpan-approved pet therapy organization. Volunteers complete WellSpan’s onboarding process, including orientation, required background checks, clearances and immunizations.