OHSU Doernbecher welcomes ‘Chief Cuddling Officer,’ expanding Hospital Facility Dog Program

Casey helps comfort OHSU’s smallest patients, families in the Neonatal Intensive Care, Labor and Delivery, and Mother-Baby units

By Lisa McMahan June 10, 2022

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"Welcome to Doernbecher, Casey!" Nikki Wiggins, NICU Clinical Nurse Manager at Doernbecher Children's Hospital, walks into Doernbecher with new patient therapy dog, Casey, and Assistance Dogs Northwest co-founder and executive director, Maureen "Mo" Maurer, October 15, 2021. Casey joins Hope and Davis as part of Doernbecher and Assistance Dogs Northwest's Hospital Facility Dog program. (OHSU/Christine Torres Hicks)

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Maureen Mauer of Assistance Dogs Northwest helps lead Casey onto the bed of a child patient at Doernbecher Children's Hospital (OHSU/Christine Torres Hicks)

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A pediatric patient relaxes with Casey, the newest Hospital Facility Dog to join OHSU Doernbecher Children’s Hospital (OHSU/Christine Torres Hicks)

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Nikki Wiggins, NICU Clinical Nurse Manager at Doernbecher Children's Hospital, walks into Doernbecher with new patient therapy dog, Casey, and Assistance Dogs Northwest co-founder and executive director, Maureen "Mo" Maurer, October 15, 2021. Casey joins Hope and Davis as part of Doernbecher and Assistance Dogs Northwest's Hospital Facility Dog program. (OHSU/Christine Torres Hicks)

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Maureen Mauer of Assistance Dogs Northwest helps lead Casey onto the bed of a child patient at Doernbecher Children's Hospital. Handler Nikki Wiggins, M.S.N., RN, watches. (OHSU/Christine Torres Hicks)

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Casey has a few favorites, like toys, treats and cuddles. (OHSU/Christine Torres Hicks)

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Maureen Mauer of Assistance Dogs Northwest plays a little with Casey before she starts her rounds at Doernbecher Children's Hospital. (OHSU/Christine Torres Hicks)

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Casey with her handler and caretaker, Nikki Wiggins, M.S.N., RN, Nurse Manager, Neonatal Intensive Care Unit, outside OHSU Doernbecher Children’s Hospital (OHSU/Christine Torres Hicks)

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Casey greets a child patient passing through the halls at Doernbecher Children's Hospital. (OHSU/Christine Torres Hicks)

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Puppy kisses and get-well wishes: Casey visits a child patient at Doernbecher Children's Hospital. (OHSU/Christine Torres Hicks)

Casey, Davis and Hope (OHSU)

Casey with staff nurses week

Hospital Facility Dog Casey visits nurses on OHSU’s Mother-Baby Unit during Nurses Week 2022 (OHSU/Nikki Wiggins)

Davis

Davis is one of the assistance dogs that helps at Doernbecher Children's Hospital. (OHSU)

Hope

Hope is one of the assistance dogs that helps at Doernbecher Children's Hospital. (OHSU)

Casey

Caey is one of the assistance dogs that helps at Doernbecher Children's Hospital. (OHSU)