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Springfield Memorial Hospital in Illinois has expanded its “DOGtors on Call” animal-assisted therapy program with four newly certified therapy dogs.
The program now has five certified therapy dogs. The newest “DOGtors” are Bandit, an eight-year-old Corgi; Huck, a three-year-old golden retriever; Lucy, a two-year-old goldendoodle; and Stirling, a nine-year-old Australian shepherd. They join Kylo, a six-year-old German shepherd whose weekly patient visits helped inspire the program’s expansion.
All five dogs completed 14 weeks of training through the Alliance of Therapy Dogs. A $4,500 grant helped cover certification and other program costs. The dogs provide comfort and companionship to patients and families while helping reduce stress among hospital staff. The hospital may add more therapy dogs in the future.
