Canine comfort
UPMC Washington hosted a birthday celebration for one of its newest and favorite employees – Savior, the hospital’s therapy dog, who turned a year old.
Savior, a golden retriever, provides comfort and support for patients, families, and staff at UPMC Washington.
Savior’s celebration on Monday included a pup-friendly birthday cake, complete with mashed potato and greek yogurt icing, and UPMC Washington staff members sang “Happy Birthday” as he sat contentedly beside his handler, Jennifer Kirschler, senior associate counsel and vice president of UPMC Health Services Group. He also happily accepted pats and hugs from several hospital workers.
“He’s a wonderful dog. He know when he has his vest on that he has work to do, that he’s a therapy dog and the patients and the staff need him. When I take him home and take the vest off, he acts more like a puppy and runs around and plays,” said Kirschler. “Everybody loves to see him, and he loves to see them.”
Savior’s birthday bash served as the official launch of the UPMC Washington therapy dog program. Savior began making rounds visiting patients and employees four days a week in April.
The event also introduced the Washington Greene Health Foundation — formerly the Washington Health System Foundation — and its expanded scope.
Jayna Ronald, development coordinator with WGHF, said hospitals are increasingly incorporating pet therapy, as evidence shows that animals significantly boost patient and staff well-being, and their presence brings calm and comfort.
“Working in health care you see a lot of sad things and unfortunate things that happen, and that can be very heavy,” said Ronald, noting that healthcare workers encounter other stressful situations such as workplace violence. “So Savior coming around to visit the units and the staff really just brightens their day.”
The therapy dog program was funded by Washington Greene Health Foundation through the local donors, including Mike and Tera Lauderbaugh and an anonymous contributor.
The program is one of several initiatives supported by the Washington Greene Health Foundation, which has served the region since 1992, supporting health care through philanthropy and community investment. The name change better reflects the foundation’s geographic reach and evolving role.
The foundation, now a public charity, supports hospital-based care and community programs and initiatives that improve the health and quality of life in Washington and Greene counties.
Savior received his training at VetPets of Southwestern Pennsylvania, a nonprofit that trains dogs for emotional support, therapy dog and service dog work, and he still attends weekly training sessions there with Kirschler.
“It’s been really impactful to have him here these past couple of months officially as a UPMC employee,” said Ronald. “It is cool to hear the stories about what a difference he’s made and to see what an impact he has. We love him.”