Wednesday, November 26, 2014

Griffin in Derby offers canine calendars to benefit hospice program

Fundraiser features therapy dog photos

Tess and Liza, Golden Retriever companions to Inge van Ark of Oxford, grace the cover of the People and Animals Working in Spirit 2015 Calendar. / Contributed photo

DERBY - Man’s best friend is giving a helping paw to Griffin Hospital’s most fragile patients.

People and Animals Working in Spirit (P.A.W.S.), the therapy dog program at Griffin Hospital in Derby, is offering 2015 calendars featuring professional photos of its caring canines to raise money for the hospital’s hospice program.

Founded in 1996 with just one greyhound, P.A.W.S. provides therapy dog visits to patients at Griffin Hospital and rehabilitation are centers to provide companionship and help decrease anxiety.

The program now has 16 certified therapy animal and companion teams with dogs ranging in size from a Shih Tzu to a Bernese Mountain Dog.

The Griffin Hospital Hospice program brings comfort, dignity, self-respect and tranquility to patients in the final stages of life.

The program offers trained staff that work collaboratively with family members to discuss care and respond to factors that may influence the patient’s physical and mental wellbeing and provides comfort items for the patient and the family members such as flowers, afghans, candles with LED lights, and complementary therapies like therapeutic massage, Reiki and meditation.

The calendars are $12 each and are available in Griffin Pharmacy & Gifts, located on the first floor of Griffin Hospital, 130 Division St.

For more information, contact P.A.W.S. Program Coordinator Ruth Tuccio, 203-732-1298 or rtuccio@griffinhealth.org.

This is a press release from Griffin Hospital.

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