Trained dogs working inside hospitals now work inside HCA HealthONE Rose Medical Center in Denver to help ease burnout among hospital staff, especially in the Labor and Delivery unit.

Hospital leaders say the program offers short, in‑place relief for stressed clinicians at a time when burnout has been highlighted in reports in 2018 and 2022 from national health authorities. The facility dogs are part of a broader effort to support staff mental health and morale on the wards, as therapy and facility dogs are associated with reduced stress, improved mood, and better perceived mental health among healthcare workers, ultimately leading to a decrease in burnout levels.

On a recent visit, a pair of dogs, tails wagging, had come by a nearby nursing station, causing about a dozen medical professionals to melt into a collective puddle of affection. The group — 12 people in all — gathered around as the animals moved among them, providing an emotional lift during a busy shift. National data show that burnout among U.S. health workers is widespread and has been exacerbated since the onset of COVID-19, with some surveys reporting burnout rates approaching or exceeding roughly one‑third of workers during the pandemic.

The dogs are named Peppi and Ralphie. Peppi is described as a yellow Labrador; Ralphie is a black Lab/Retriever mix. Both are trained to work in the hospital setting. Dr. Kristina Fraser, an OB‑GYN, captured the lightness of the moment: “I don’t know if a human baby smells as good as that puppy breath!” Fraser was seen in blue scrubs during the visit.

Staff members across departments described similar benefits. Jasmine Richardson, an EMT, said, “When I have a bad day at work and I come to Rose and Peppi is here, my day’s going to be made better.” Eric Vaillancourt, a nursing supervisor, and Susan Ryan, an emergency medicine physician, also use the visits as a brief reset during demanding shifts, noting how interacting with the dogs significantly boosts their mood. Who Let the Dogs Out? Utilizing Animal Therapy for Stress Relief in …

Casey Guber, the hospital’s president and CEO, noted the program’s reach inside the facility: “It is not uncommon to see a surgeon coming down to our administration office and rolling on the ground with Ralphie.” The dogs’ presence has become a visible expression of staff support across units, highlighting the growing trend toward animal-assisted interventions in healthcare settings.

Training for the facility dog program was provided by Canine Companions. The hospital has integrated the dogs into daily routines so staff can access short interactions during breaks or between cases. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has reported on healthcare worker burnout, and hospital leaders cite those national concerns when describing the program’s purpose.

Program details and hospital perspectives are covered on the American Hospital Association site, which describes how facilities are exploring similar employee supports. For broader context on how canine-assisted interventions are used in clinical settings, research summaries appear in publications such as Frontiers.

Staff members say the visits take only minutes but have an outsized emotional effect, cutting through the day’s tension and creating moments of relief and joy. At Rose Medical Center, Peppi and Ralphie are described as working primarily for the benefit of staff, though Peppi is also sometimes involved in interactions with patients.

The facility dog program at HCA HealthONE Rose Medical Center remains active as part of the hospital’s staff support offerings. Training partners and hospital leaders continue to coordinate visits so clinicians can access the dogs during their shifts, highlighting the importance of mental health solutions amid a national crisis in healthcare worker burnout.

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Original reporting: view the original article.