Helping paws: OHSU Doernbecher expands Hospital Facility Dog Program

Two-year-old golden retriever ‘Davis’ joins hospital staff, brings smiles to young patients, families

By Tracy Brawley October 23, 2018 Portland, Oregon

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OHSU Doernbecher Children's Hospital therapy dogs

OHSU Doernbecher Children's Hospital therapy dog Davis. Doernbecher is the only hospital in the Northwest and among the few in the U.S. with two hospital therapy dogs, who can help make the hospital feel less frightening. (OHSU/Kristyna Wentz-Graff)

OHSU Doernbecher Children's Hospital therapy dogs

OHSU Doernbecher Children's Hospital therapy dogs Davis (left) and Hope. Doernbecher is the only hospital in the Northwest and among the few in the U.S. with two hospital therapy dogs, who can help make the hospital feel less frightening. (OHSU/Kristyna Wentz-Graff)

OHSU Doernbecher Children's Hospital therapy dogs

“Not all medicine is administered by doctors or nurses,” said Dana Braner, M.D., F.A.A.P., F.C.C.M., Credit Unions for Kids chair and professor of pediatrics (critical care medicine), OHSU School of Medicine; and physician-in-chief, OHSU Doernbecher Children’s Hospital. Davis, a 2-year-old standard golden retriever lives part-time with Braner and is OHSU Doernbecher Children's Hospital's second hospital facility dog. (OHSU)

OHSU Doernbecher Children's Hospital therapy dogs

OHSU Doernbecher Children's Hospital therapy dogs and their handlers: Kristin Knight, L.C.S.W., (left) with Davis, and Sandy Westfall, M.S., C.C.L.S., with Hope. Doernbecher is the only hospital in the Northwest and among the few in the U.S. with two hospital therapy dogs, who can help make the hospital feel less frightening. (OHSU/Kristyna Wentz-Graff)

OHSU Doernbecher Children's Hospital therapy dogs

OHSU Doernbecher Children's Hospital therapy dogs and their handlers: Dr. Dana Braner (left) with Davis, and Kristin Knight, L.C.S.W., with Hope. Doernbecher is the only hospital in the Northwest and among the few in the U.S. with two hospital therapy dogs, who can help make the hospital feel less frightening. (OHSU/Tracy Brawley)

OHSU Doernbecher Children's Hospital therapy dogs

OHSU Doernbecher Children's Hospital therapy dog, Davis, visits with Connor Zimmerman, 8, in September, 2018. Doernbecher is the only hospital in the Northwest and among the few in the U.S. with two hospital therapy dogs, who can help make the hospital feel less frightening. (OHSU/Kristyna Wentz-Graff)

OHSU Doernbecher Children's Hospital therapy dogs

Davis headshot (2018)

OHSU Doernbecher Children's Hospital therapy dog, Davis. Doernbecher is the only hospital in the Northwest and among the few in the U.S. with two hospital therapy dogs, who can help make the hospital feel less frightening. (OHSU/Kristyna Wentz-Graff)

Hope headshot (2018)

OHSU Doernbecher Children's Hospital therapy dog, Hope. Doernbecher is the only hospital in the Northwest and among the few in the U.S. with two hospital therapy dogs, who can help make the hospital feel less frightening. (OHSU/Kristyna Wentz-Graff)