A Tail of Comfort The Power of Pet Therapy

Tina with her dog, Belle.

In 2024, we celebrated the 10-year anniversary of Adventist Health White Memorial’s Pet Therapy Program, also known as animal-assisted therapy (AAT). We are incredibly grateful for Tina and her dog, Belle, from Love On 4 Paws, who bring joy, comfort and healing to our patients. 

Every other Sunday, Tina and Belle visit Adventist Health White Memorial, bringing smiles to our patients. Tina asks, “Would you like some pet therapy today?” and the answer is almost always a resounding, “Yes!” These moments create lasting memories, especially during difficult times like the holidays. “We have patients that leave comments on our website that they still remember the time a pet therapy dog visited them in the hospital,” says Tina. 

Belle’s visits also brighten the day for our associates. “I make sure they get a chance to see Belle, and you can see how bright their smiles become when she visits,” says Tina. 

Thanks to the generosity of our associates, the pet therapy program continues to thrive as part of our Mission and Spiritual Care program. Through the Somos esperanza associate giving campaign, your support helps create a compassionate environment for both our patients and staff, making a lasting impact on everyone who benefits from the comfort and care of our furry friends.