Learn how our hospital dogs help patients and staff through individualized therapeutic interactions.
MUSC Shawn Jenkins Children's Hospital has specially educated hospital dogs from Canine Assistants, a nonprofit in Milton, Georgia.
Hospital Dogs work alongside a hospital employee to provide individualized therapeutic interactions for patients, families and staff as part of the healthcare team.
Hospital Dogs can be part of a patient's personalized treatment or recovery plan, helping to address specific goals. They can normalize hospitalizations while providing emotional support, play and comfort.
They help patients cope during stressful procedures by helping to lower anxiety, blood pressure and increasing compliance.
They also provide support to our medical team by boosting morale and helping carry the emotional burden they experience daily.
Hospital Dogs are available to take a limited number of referrals after an appropriate assessment has been made.
Reasons to see a hospital dog may include:
Please keep in mind that Hospital Dogs may not be available upon request. Please do not promise your child a visit from a Hospital Dog. We do our best to prioritize and see patients according to therapeutic need. Please email facilitydogs@musc.edu if you would like more information or to request a specific visit for your child.
The love of a dog is cherished by many patients and families. The dogs in our MUSC Volunteer Pet Therapy Program are available to provide affection and comfort, so feel free to request a visit by contacting Cathy Bennett, Therapy Animal Program Coordinator, at 843-792-7360 or through the Get Well Network.
Garth joined the MUSC Heart Center team in November 2024. He looks like a black lab but is a golden retriever, labradoodle mix, so all his siblings look different. He helps provide emotional support to cardiology patients and their families through their extensive healthcare journeys. From working with newborn babies and their families to young adults with pediatric heart conditions, Garth knows his role as part of the care team.
Zelda joined MUSC in June 2023. She is a young black golden retriever/lab mix named after the iconic Legend of Zelda game. She works in the MUSC Foster Care Clinic during medical visits and therapy sessions. Despite her laid-back personality, she is always hard at work sharing her love with the kids, foster parents and medical team.
Cher joined MUSC in November 2022. She is a golden doodle who was born to a small litter of two puppies, Sonny and Cher. She works on our Cancer and Blood Disorders team alongside a clinical psychologist to help manage the emotions related to treatment. She creates lasting relationships with Bone Marrow Transplant patients specifically.
Baskin is a large golden retriever who started our Hospital Dog program in September 2020. He retired after 5.5 years of hard work supporting numerous patients, families and care team members. He made sure everyone was checked on regularly and never missed an opportunity to sniff out who had the treats.
Agnes is a golden doodle who started our program with Baskin in September 2020. She worked with the Child Life team on the Cancer and Blood Disorders Unit and retired in June of 2022. You can still find her artwork floating around the hospital as she loved to leave her "paw" print for people to remember her.
Hospital Dogs. Learn how our hospital dogs’ specialized training helps patients and staff through individualized therapeutic interactions.
