Mather is excited to announce a new pet therapy program in partnership with Pet Partners of Long Island that will provide training for pets and their handlers who want to come to Mather Hospital for their visits. Our canine friends who take rounds throughout the hospital provide support and companionship to our patients and staff.
Pet Partners demonstrates and promote the health and wellness benefits of animal-assisted therapy, activities and education. They subscribe that the human-animal bond is a mutually beneficial relationship that improves the physical, social and emotional lives of those they serve.
Mather Hospital and Pet Partners are actively recruiting owners and their pets for the hospital visitation program—do you have a dog that has the temperament to provide comfort to our patients and the Mather family? Our passionate volunteers and their furry friends will become familiar friendly faces around the hospital to brighten someone’s day with wagging tails and lots of love.
“From the moment the dog and its volunteer handler enter the hospital, everyone’s faces light up! Patients, visitors, and staff all share the same smile as they embrace the dog. It is a smile like no other, one of hope,” says Jill Snelders, senior manager of Recreational Therapy.
All volunteers for the program must become a Mather Hospital Volunteer and canine volunteer and receive training from Pet Partners. For more information, contact Mather’s Volunteer Service Department at kdunne1@northwell.edu
Mather Volunteer, Cindy Amodio, and her dog Polka
