Therapy Dogs Go Virtual
December 22, 2020
Before the coronavirus pandemic, therapy dogs at California’s Stanford Hospital would comfort patients and staff in the corridors and on wards. Now, they’ve gone virtual, cheering people up with appearances via video-conference.
Until March, volunteer coordinator Martha Kessler would arrange between eight and ten visits a month around the Stanford University campus for students and staff to see and pet the team of therapy dogs. Then the coronavirus took hold and the program came to an abrupt halt.
“The pandemic hit and the dogs basically were grounded, because we just could not do visits in good conscience because … they didn’t have any idea of how much transmission was happening by petting or whatever,” Kessler said.
For Virginia Lee-Lew, who works at Stanford School of Medicine and calls herself a therapy dog ‘groupie,’ it’s all about stress relief.
“It just gives me that smile on my face … that warmth in my heart,” she said.
“The first couple of times was a little bit a learning thing because it’s not that easy to keep your dog on camera, as you can imagine, for an hour,” Kessler said. “We started to get better at it.”
In the lead-up to the holiday season, some of the dogs sported Santa hats or had jingle bells attached to their collars or legs.
Kessler said she will keep going with the virtual program until in-person sessions resume, whenever that may be.
“People just really need a break, a mental break, and I think the dogs really provide that,” she said.
Register your Dog Schedule a Visit
Recent News
Students Get Therapy Dog
When middle school students return to class on Jan. 11, they’ll find a new face at the door: Daisy. Daisy is a therapy dog and the personal pet of Rob Kreger, principal of the Rock L. Butler Middle School. The five-year-old golden retriever is not a school pet or mascot, but rather a working dog […]
Therapy Dogtor
Last March, Caroline Benzel, a third-year medical student, began to notice the stress and discomfort her nurse friends were feeling from the pressures of the ongoing Covid-19 pandemic. “[Personal protective equipment] can be really rough on the skin,” Benzel, 31, tells PEOPLE. Benzel and her 3-year-old Rottweiler, Loki (who’s also a therapy dog) hatched a […]
Therapy Dog Pups
When Stanley the miniature fox terrier’s owner passed away, the little dog started a ‘paw-some’ new role – bringing puppy love to some of the Gold Coast’s oldest residents. After Carinity Cedarbrook Diversional Therapist Julianne Staff adopted Stanley, he began visiting the aged care community at Mudgeeraba as a therapy dog. Therapy dogs help to […]
Therapy Dogs At School
Those who own a dog can attest to their ability to lift mood, improve stress and bring joy by simply being there, unanswering, seemingly all-knowing and always delighted to see you. Therapy animals are known for their calm and comforting nature, giving people a way to relax, de-stress and interact with a loving pet. They […]
Wonder Dog
For those of us with dogs, we know they quickly become major parts of the family. You live for and care for just like one of your own children, and one dog right here in Oklahoma City is beating the odds, and helping others recover as a therapy dog, despite all of the issues he’s […]
Scott And Charlie
Cherokee Middle School students may do a little more “doodling” second semester starting this month (January), but also will improve their attendance marks because of a special attraction at the school, courtesy of Principal Scott Aden. Aden, an effective, caring administrator, has acquired and will house and handle a young female Golden Doodle (Charlie) that […]
Hope For Veterans
E5 Therapy opened in April with a different way to help veterans in therapy. They offer canine-assisted therapy along with talk therapy to veterans and veterans’ families in Solano County. Owner Matthew Decker is a licensed clinical social worker in Northern California, focused on helping veterans achieve their mental health goals. Along with his team, […]