Meet the Healing Pups Team
Bernadette
Breed: Bernadoodle
Where This Pooch Patrols: Inpatient Pediatrics
Fun Fact: She loves people more than dogs, pizza crusts and loves the beach
Biko
Breed: German Shepard
Where This Pooch Patrols: All units during overnights and weekends
Fun Fact: He swallowed a whistle – all of his whining is definitely, definitely not his fault.
Bitsy
Breed: Chihuahua
Where This Pooch Patrols: Sickle cell patients + requests
Fun Fact: She can easily outrace dogs that are several times her weight! Cucumbers are her favorite snack. She is Nellie’s sister.
Blue
Breed: Long-haired Labrador Retriever
Where This Pooch Patrols: Blue loves to visit with patients and staff alike!
Fun Fact: Long hair is recessive gene in labs – if both parents have it, then the lab pups may be fluffy like Blue! Blue loves treats, giving high fives, and can speak on command!
Cocoa
Breed: Miniature Poodle Mix
Where This Pooch Patrols: Behavioral Health
Fun Fact: She loves walking around Boston Medical Center
Crixus
Breed: Australian Cattle Dog
Where This Pooch Patrols: Floats based on requests
Fun Fact: Crixus was 9 months old, he began to naturally alert his handler before suffering a PTSD flashback and would comfort without training.
Fenway
Breed: Irish Cream Golden Retriever
Where This Pooch Patrols:Floats based on requests
Fun Fact:This sweet girl has a unique facial feature called a zipper nose.
Lola
Breed: Labrador Retriever
Where This Pooch Patrols:Floats based on requests
Fun Fact:She was named after the song by Barry Manilow…”Her name is Lola”.
Luie
Breed: Golden Doodle
Where This Pooch Patrols:Floats based on requests with his handler Rev. Jennie Gould.
Fun Fact:He was trained by an inmate at MCI Norfolk in the NEADS program and will do anything for treats.
Luna
Breed: Golden Doodle
Where This Pooch Patrols: Floats based on requests
Fun Fact: She loves playing fetch and singing!.
Magnolia Jane, "Maggie"
Breed: Mini Aussie
Where This Pooch Patrols: SNICU
Fun Fact: She can give you a "High Five" with both paws and dance like a ballerina. She is super sweet!!
Memphis
Breed: English Bulldog
Where This Pooch Patrols: Emergency Department and floats based on requests
Fun Fact: He is a rescue who loves car rides, treats and people
Monroe
Breed: Husky + Poodle Mix
Where This Pooch Patrols: Floats based on requests
Fun Fact: Also known as Roe loves snow and water. She is Miles’ sister – now retired.
Nala
Breed: Swiss Mountain Dog
Where This Pooch Patrols: Special events
Nellie
Breed: Chihuahua
Where This Pooch Patrols: 6East and floats based on requests
Fun Fact: She is the smallest of the pack with a wardrobe larger than her. We’ve never seen her repeat an outfit.
Seymour
Breed: Cavalier King Charles Spaniel
Where This Pooch Patrols: Floats based on requests
Sully
Breed: Bernese Mountain Dog
Where This Pooch Patrols: Emergency Department and floats based on requests
Fun Fact: He likes to hike and occasionally dumpster dive.
Tam
Breed: Greater Swiss Mountain Dog
Where This Pooch Patrols: Floats based on requests
Fun Fact: She is Fenway’s sister.
Winnie
Breed: Boxer
Where This Pooch Patrols: Floats based on requests
Fun Fact: She is Memphis’ sister, also a rescue and likes to hike with friends.
Zhara
Breed: Boxer
Where This Pooch Patrols: Floats based on requests
Fun Fact: She loves zoomies and laying in the sun.
Piper
Breed: Cavalier King Charles
Where This Pooch Patrols: SICU and floats based on requests
About Healing Pups
Healing Pups crew member Dexter, a boxer handled by BMC employee Mike Hurley, pioneered this program in big ways. Following the Boston Marathon bombings in April 2013, Dexter and Mike visited the SICU Family Waiting Room. Almost instantly, Dexter was greeting victims and their families as if they were his new best friends, leaving them smiling from ear to ear.
The immediate effects of these visits were astounding. Patients and staff alike realized what a positive impact that furry friends like Dexter could have on those truly in need. It quickly became apparent that during traumatic times, nothing is more valuable than a companion.
Following in Dexter's paw prints, the Healing Pups team continued to develop offering patients and families a calming presence and helping to take their minds off of their troubles.
Today, the Healing Pups program has grown to include twenty one dogs who regularly visit the BMC campus. All of the Healing Pups crew members have undergone a rigorous training and behavioral evaluation to become certified therapy dogs. Some of the pups were specially trained through National Education for Assistance Dog Services (NEADS) - an organization that provides independence to people who are deaf or have a disability through the use of canine assistance.
Some of the dogs have regularly assigned areas on campus, while others float around based on various patient requests. But, the Healing Pups don't stop there! They are also active in visiting with BMC staff, and at Boston Healthcare for the Homeless.
Follow the Healing Pups adventures on Instagram @BMCHEALINGPUPS.
The Healing Pups Program at BMC
To learn more about Healing Pups, please contact the Department of Patient Advocacy.