Griffin Hospital in Derby seeking certified pet therapy volunteers

Make a ‘Paw’-sitive Impact as a Griffin Hospital Pet Therapy Volunteer

DERBY - Griffin Hospital is seeking certified therapy dog teams to volunteer for its pet therapy program to help bring smiles and soothe the souls of patients, visitors and caregivers.

As part of its Planetree person-centered care philosophy, Griffin's People and Animals Working in Spirit (P.A.W.S.) program is a complementary therapy offered to patients in need of the calming companionship that dogs can provide.

Handlers need to become a registered Griffin Hospital volunteer and provide proof of their dog's certification.

Pet therapy shifts are 60-90 minutes and the owner and dog teams are required to visit the hospital a minimum of twice a month. Other requirements include an interview with Griffin Volunteer Services, medical requirements (health assessment, immunization record, tuberculosis blood test, COVID-19 and flu vaccination), background check, and a two-hour volunteer orientation.

For more information or for dog owners interested in pursuing therapy dog certification, contact Volunteer Services Supervisor at kbrowne@griffinhealth.org or 203-732-7555. Volunteer applications are available at griffinhealth.org/about/volunteer-opportunities

This is a press release from Griffin Hospital.

Pet therapy team at Griffin Hospital in Derby wins Planetree award

The Griffin Hospital Pet Therapy Team of Nancy Schneider and her greyhound Star recently received The Planetree Animal Therapy Team Award./ Contributed photo

DERBY - The Griffin Hospital Pet Therapy Team of Nancy Schneider and her greyhound Star, of Monroe, recently received The Planetree Animal Therapy Team Award.

The Planetree Animal Therapy Team Awards are an annual, worldwide competition that searches out and recognizes health care animal therapy teams. 

These teams are often comprised of ordinary pets and their handlers who do extraordinary things in healthcare environments, whether helping patients with their physical therapy, lending an ear to a person who is suffering emotionally, or by simply providing the tail-wagging welcome to visitors of a health care facility.

The team was selected for Star’s infinite patience when tending to patients. A great example of this occurred when Star recently paid a visit to a hospice patient’s husband. Immediately upon meeting Star, the man fell to his knees and embraced her. 

Star patiently allowed him to soak in her calming presence. 

The following day when the patient’s wife passed away, the first words spoken by her husband when he left the hospital room were “thank you for sending me that beautiful dog.” 

Like many pet therapy teams, Star and Nancy provided companionship and were instrumental in the recovery process.

About Planetree

Founded in 1978 by Angelica Thieriot, a San Francisco patient who endured a traumatic health care experience, Planetree is an internationally-recognized, not-for-profit organization that partners with health care providers around the globe to advance patient-/resident-centered approaches to care. Planetree has been at the forefront of the effort to personalize, humanize, and demystify the health care system for more than 30 years.

With its model of patient-/resident-centered care being implemented in a diverse range of hospitals, continuing care facilities, outpatient clinics, and consumer health libraries across North America, Canada, Brazil, The Netherlands and Japan, Planetree is demonstrating that patient-centered care is not only an empowering philosophy, but a viable, vital, and cost-effective model of care.

This is a press release from Griffin Hospital.

Ansonia dog, owner win pet therapy award

Baby Cakes and owner Janice Correia of Ansonia were honored with the Spirit of Planetree Therapy Animal of the Year Award. /Contributed photo

DERBY- Baby Cakes, a Chihuahua terrier mix, and owner Janice Correia of Ansonia, were honored with the Spirit of Planetree Therapy Animal of the Year Award at the 2015 Planetree International Conference in Boston.

Baby Cakes and Correia have been visiting patients at Griffin Hospital since 2008. Staff and patients appreciate visits by Baby Cakes for his engaging personality and his ability to light up a room with his wagging tail and endless enthusiasm.

Baby Cakes was nominated for the award by Ruth Tuccio, coordinator of People and Animals Working in Spirit, the therapy dog program at Griffin Hospital.

Although dealing with a cancer diagnosis, Baby Cakes continues to make routine visits and special visits by request, Tuccio said. 
His ability to say “Mama” on command has helped many patients to forget they are in the hospital for a moment while being entertained by him.

 “His indomitable spirit is a true asset to our patients and staff,” Tuccio said.

The Spirit of Planetree Awards were created to promote patient-centered care by publicly recognizing those who personalize and demystify the healthcare experience for others as well as programs and services that support extraordinary achievement in patient-centered care.

The initiative helps communicate the character and quality of the caregivers and healthcare organizations serving the community in the Planetree network. 

The Awards positively impact staff morale in affiliated institutions through an award process that includes and reflects appreciation by peers and administrators and, in many cases, recognizes those who have not been in the spotlight for professional achievements.

About Planetree

Founded in 1978 by Angelica Thieriot, a San Francisco patient who endured a traumatic healthcare experience, Planetree is an internationally-recognized not-for-profit organization that partners with health care providers around the globe to advance patient-/resident-centered approaches to care. 
Planetree has been at the forefront of the effort to personalize, humanize, and demystify the healthcare system for more than 30 years. 
With its model of patient-/resident-centered care being implemented in a diverse range of hospitals, continuing care facilities, outpatient clinics, and consumer health libraries across North America, Canada, Brazil, The Netherlands and Japan, Planetree is demonstrating that patient-centered care is not only an empowering philosophy, but a viable, vital, and cost-effective model of care.

This is a press release from Griffin Hospital.