Therapy dogs, including Peach, Penny, Sadie, Oliver, Loki, and Finn, visited young patients at HCA Palms West Hospital in Palm Beach County on Christmas morning. Therapy dogs bring Christmas joy to young hospital patients in Palm …

The visit, arranged by volunteers with Certified Therapy Dog, Inc., brought dogs into pediatric rooms where children spent the holiday in bed, creating brief, bright moments amid medical care. various benefits to young hospital patients, including reduced anxiety, stabilized blood pressure and heart rate, pain control, improved mood, and better sleep.

Volunteers guided the dogs through pediatric wards, introducing the animals by name as they made short visits to each patient. The group included Peach, Penny, Sadie, Oliver, Loki, and Finn, and staff and families described the scene as warm and lively as handlers gently encouraged interactions. Studies have shown, particularly one by the Human-Animal Bond Research Institute on pediatric cancer patients, that these calming effects can significantly improve a child’s hospital experience.

Mia’s face lit up when she met Oliver, one of the therapy dogs. “What’s his name? His name is Oliver. He’s so cute,” she said, and later called out, “Merry Christmas, everybody, Merry Christmas.” The reaction underscored how a brief visit can change the tone of a hospital room, even when a child must remain under care.

Eleven-year-old Tristan Shankland brought his dog Finn to share with other children, explaining the gesture in his own words: “To give what, basically, what I have from my house, basically feel like giving them the feeling of home.” That sentiment echoed across several visits as children and parents reached toward the dogs, stroked fur and exchanged smiles, here reflecting the well-documented comfort that therapy dogs exhibit in such settings.

For some families, the visits provided a rare break from the stress of illness. “It’s been a little bit of light in the dark,” said Alexis Machate, a mother whose child participated in the visit, capturing the relief felt in rooms where treatments and monitoring otherwise dominated the day. Therapy dog programs have become widespread in U.S. hospitals, particularly in children’s hospitals, which helps facilitate these heartwarming interactions across various settings, with an estimated 50,000 therapy dogs operating nationwide.

Certified Therapy Dog, Inc. coordinated the volunteers and the animals who made rounds through pediatric areas and other parts of the hospital. Alan Levine, founder and President of Certified Therapy Dog, Inc., led the volunteer effort, bringing trained teams to the facility so staff could offer patients a chance to interact with the dogs during the holiday. While there’s no universal certification for therapy dogs, the criteria often include being over one year old, demonstrating a calm temperament, and passing specific evaluations, ensuring the best candidates for this impactful work. What qualifications are needed for a dog to become a certified therapy animal?

Handlers moved deliberately to balance excitement and calm, keeping visits short and attentive to each child’s needs. Families and staff reported that the dogs brought cheer to patients of all ages, creating a warm atmosphere in corridors and bedside rooms as the handlers introduced each animal.

Oliver and Finn were singled out by patients during the visits: Oliver for the way he drew immediate smiles from a patient named Mia, and Finn for the way Tristan shared him with other children. Those small moments — a laugh, a pet, a holiday greeting — were what volunteers said they came to offer on the holiday morning.

The visit followed a pattern commonly used by hospital therapy teams: scheduled rounds with trained animals and handlers moving from room to room so multiple patients could participate without disrupting care. Hospital staff assisted in coordinating timing and room access so interactions could be safe and comforting for patients with different medical needs.

The Christmas morning visits at HCA Palms West were captured in reporting by WPTV, which noted the names of the dogs and the involvement of Certified Therapy Dog, Inc. Volunteers and families described the event as a meaningful pause from medical routines and a chance for children to experience a familiar, home-like comfort.

The dogs’ visit ended after they completed rounds, leaving families and staff with the memory of a holiday morning that included laughter, quiet conversation and pets along hospital beds. Certified Therapy Dog, Inc. provided the animal teams and their handlers for the scheduled visits.

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Original reporting: view the original article.