A new pediatric behavioral health hospital opening in Grand Rapids in 2026 will include a specially trained yellow Labrador named Sully as its facility dog.

Sully will work full-time at the Pine Rest Pediatric Center for Behavioral Health, helping children manage anxiety, express emotions and engage in therapy.

Trained by Canines for Change and placed through Priority Health’s Priority Pups program, Sully is the first dog in the program to work in a clinical setting.

Hospital leaders say the addition comes as demand for children’s mental health services has grown significantly since the COVID-19 pandemic.

wzzm13.com