Paws and effect: Therapy dogs share the love at STHS
STHS Communication Department, commdept@stph.org
Charlie the golden retriever and Scoop the
Doberman pinscher were among the five dogs from Love on a Leash to visit with
St. Tammany Health System colleagues on Wednesday, May 12, to close out Nurses
Week 2021. (Photo by Tim San Fillippo / STHS)
It was a dog day afternoon recently for the doctors, nurses and other staff at St. Tammany Health System – but in the most cuddly way possible.
To close out Nurses Week 2021, the health system invited the local chapter of Love on a Leash, which specializes in providing “pet-provided therapy,” to share its brand of furry, four-legged comfort with the health system’s colleagues.
In all, five pooches of various breeds but similarly sweet temperaments – all of which have undergone specialized training – greeted STHS colleagues as they left work for the day on Wednesday (May 12). Good boys and girls all, they predictably generated a wealth of smiles – along with plenty of nuzzling, hugging and petting.
Below, find photos from Wednesday’s event.
St.
Tammany Health System President and CEO Joan Coffman, center, gets a little
facetime with Scoop the Doberman.
(Photo by Tim San Fillippo / STHS)
Sherlock
the goldendoodle solicits some affection from an STHS colleague.
(Photo by Tim San Fillippo / STHS)
Ginger
the golden retriever collects some love from an STHS colleague.
(Photo by Tim San Fillippo / STHS)
Nurse
Practitioner Jeanne Dakin of St. Tammany Health System’s Pediatric ICU gets a
kiss from Fontana the “chiweenie,” a mix of Chihuahua and dachshund. (STHS photo)
Sherlock
the goldendoodle, a mix of golden retriever and poodle, offers a paw of
support. (Photo by Tim San Fillippo / STHS)
Sherlock the goldendoodle greets STHS Anesthesiologist Michael Iverson. (Photo by Jan Budenz / STHS)
Charlie
the golden retriever is ready for his closeup. (Photo by Mike Scott / STHS)
Ginger
the golden retriever collects some love from an STHS colleague.
(Photo by Tim San Fillippo / STHS)
Love on a Leash is nonprofit organization with 62 chapters nationally whose volunteer members visit retirement homes, adult day cares, libraries and other facilities to bring “comfort, happiness and healing” through pet-provided therapy. The St. Tammany chapter currently boasts 28 therapy teams. Learn more about its services on the group’s Facebook page.