Pets are cherished members of our families because of their unconditional love, nonjudgmental support and ready companionship – not to mention all the cuddles. Hospital pet therapy programs bring that same love to patients, visitors and staff, helping to reduce stress and support healing.

Cheerful Visits

Both Aultman Alliance Community Hospital (AACH) and Aultman Hospital have dog therapy programs: Paws & Reflect at AACH and Happy Tails at Aultman Hospital.

“Therapy dogs can create an immediate change in the hospital environment, bringing smiles, conversation and a sense of calm,” said Lee Kenny, volunteer services coordinator at Aultman Hospital. “Our pet therapy volunteers have many stories about providing positive distraction in stressful situations and how they lift the spirits of everyone around them.”

Michele Quinn, director of volunteers at AACH, said that therapy visits can positively impact a patient’s physical well-being, too.

“Touching or petting an animal can help reduce blood pressure, and the release of endorphins during a pet therapy visit helps relieve stress and physical discomfort,” she said. “Pet therapy visits can also help motivate patients to actively participate in their care and recovery.”

Research supports the benefits of pet therapy. In 2025, a researcher at the University of Wisconsin School of Medicine and Public Health analyzed 15 studies examining pet therapy in adult ICUs in North America, Europe and Australia from 2015 to 2025. Overall, these studies found that therapy dogs were associated with decreased stress and anxiety and reduced pain and discomfort for patients.

A 2022 study of dog therapy in an emergency department found similar results: Patients experienced less pain, anxiety and depression – and their well-being improved.

Pet therapy doesn’t just benefit patients, Quinn said: “It’s an effective tool for reducing staff stress, emotional exhaustion and burnout.”

Pet Therapy Certification

Ruth Defranco has been a pet therapy volunteer with AACH since the program was founded in 2003. She is also an evaluator for Helping and Healing Paws, which certifies therapy dogs for AACH. For Aultman Hospital, volunteers can choose between Pet Partners and The Bright & Beautiful Therapy Dogs, Inc. to certify their pets.

“Certifying a dog proves they possess the essential temperament, obedience and emotional stability to safely handle unpredictable environments like hospitals, schools and nursing homes,” Defranco said. “It also verifies for facilities that the dog is reliably calm, friendly and under your strict control, which is legally and practically required for these volunteer visits.”

Every breed can be a therapy dog, Defranco said, but not every dog is cut out to be a therapy dog. “A great therapy dog needs to enjoy interacting with strangers, remain calm around medical equipment and handle distractions easily,” she said. “Their job requires patience, gentle handling and rock-solid obedience in various environments such as hospitals, schools and nursing homes.”

Boundless Rewards

“I would encourage anyone interested to explore the certification process and learn what the program involves,” Kenny said. “It requires commitment from both the handler and the dog, but the joy and comfort you bring to others make it worthwhile.”

Carol Angello, Aultman Hospital Happy Tails volunteer, agreed. “Over the years, volunteering with Happy Tails has been deeply rewarding,” she said. “It warms my heart to see the joy my dog Molly brings to patients, visitors and staff.”

Defranco cherishes the connections her dog has made. “The most magical aspect of therapy dog visits is seeing the unconditional judgment-free connection they provide,” she said. “I love to see adults’ and children’s faces light up when a therapy dog approaches them.”

We would love to have you join an Aultman Health System pet therapy program!

For more information on Paws & Reflect at AACH, visit our website or call 330-596-7821.

For more information on Happy Tails at Aultman Hospital, visit aultman.org/HappyTails or call 330-363-4942.