In the Fall of 2004, St. Mary's started a pet therapy program with a single team visiting a few units. Teams are made up of a dog and their owner, both of whom are volunteers. Today, the program is up to 13 teams, visiting many units in the hospital (and off-site at the Renal Unit), and the program continues to grow. 

Teams visit at various times during the weekday, evening, and weekend. If you see the teams around the hospital, feel free to come up and interact with them, as these dogs are for “hugging and petting” and are not service dogs.

Special requests for visits can be made to Volunteer Services and if a team is available and allowed on the unit, a visit will be arranged.

For more information on the program, please contact Volunteer Services at 258-6640.

Download our program brochure (pdf)
Download a Pet Therapy scholarship application. (Word document)