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Name: Zoe

Breed: Golden Retriever

Born: October 13, 2008

Owner: Vivian Birkner

Interest & Hobbies: Loves to swim, fetch tennis balls & meet people, especially children.

Name: Captain Teddy Bear

Breed: Pomeranian

Born: October, 2015

Owner: Garrett Towsley

Interests & Hobbies: Playing Fetch, Doing Tricks, and giving lots of kisses/snuggling.

Name: Webster

Breed: Greater Swiss Mountain Dog

Born: May 27, 2012

Owner: George Saxon

Interests & Hobbies: Eating, playing with his brothers and sisters, and being petted by everyone he meets.

Name: Finnegan

Breed: Golden Retriever

Born: July 20, 2015

Owner: Elizabeth Grady

Interests & Hobbies: Loves visiting people, swimming, playing at the park, sleeping on the bed and apples.

Name: Kirby

Breed: Yorkshire Terrier

Born: October 11, 2004

Owner: Barbara Bartlett

Interests & Hobbies: Coming to the hospital to give lots of Pet Therapy to everybody.

Name: Daisy

Breed: Maltese

Born: March 29, 2008

Owner: Tracey Demshar

Interests & Hobbies: She loves meeting new friends, giving kisses, and cuddling, and is an escape artist.

Name: Henry

Breed: Golden Retriever

Born: Dec. 20, 2012

Owner: Elizabeth Grady

Interests & Hobbies: Loves all people, especially children. Playing with other dogs, going to the park, swimming and apples.

Name: Parker

Breed: Shih Tzu

Born: September 2008

Owner: Macie McGee

Interests & Hobbies: Socialize with people and other dogs.

Name: Finnegan

Breed: Bichon Frise

Born: October 1, 2005

Owner: Mary Ellen Ryan

Interests & Hobbies: Enjoys visiting nursing homes, reading with school children & fetching.

 

Sarasota Memorial Pet Therapy Program

Studies have long shown the invaluable role of animals in supporting healing. At Sarasota Memorial, our pet therapy program has helped patients for more than 20 years. The pet therapists first started visiting patients in the hospital’s inpatient rehabilitation unit in 1997 to help people recovering from complex conditions who might be in the hospital for several weeks. Since then, the weekly visits have been expanded to the hospital’s Pediatric and Cancer units, as well as Sarasota Memorial’s Nursing & Rehabilitation Center off Clark Road.

Hospital staff and visitors can also enjoy some canine cuddles during our weekly Pet Paws events in HealthConnection, offered in partnership with the Humane Society of Sarasota County. Check the SMH calendar for upcoming dates.

Research has shown that pet therapy can produce physiological and psychological benefits, including reduced blood pressure and stress, as well as help promote a positive outlook on life, better outcomes in the healing and rehabilitation process and improved socialization skills.