In honor of the 5-year anniversary of our Facility Dog Program, Tufts Medical Center is hosting a virtual dog walk fundraiser.
Get outside this summer and walk, run or roll a 5K—whether you're joined by your own four-legged friend or not. Every step you take supports the incredible work of our facility dogs, who bring comfort, joy and calm to those who need it most.
We're celebrating 5 years of our Facility Dog Program with a virtual 5K fundraiser, and you're invited to walk, run or roll—wherever and whenever works for you!
Follow @allpawsondeck_tuftsmed on Instagram from July 21–August 1 for fun giveaways and furry friend features!
Tufts Medical Center launched the first hospital facility dog program in New England in 2020, thanks to generous sponsorship from the Dunkin’ Joy in Childhood Foundation and ongoing support from private donors.
Our two full-time facility dogs, Bob and Dorothy (Dottie), have completed over 2,200 hours of training and are certified through the nonprofit Canine Assistants. They work alongside their certified handlers—full-time clinicians who integrate the dogs into their daily roles.
Bob and Dottie support goal-based psychosocial interventions for hospitalized children and adults facing serious illness, trauma, extended hospital stays, grief and stress.
When partnered with trained specialists, animal-assisted therapy has been shown to reduce pain, anxiety, depression and fatigue while helping people cope more positively. Unlike service dogs, who are trained for one individual, facility dogs support the entire hospital community.
You can find Bob and Dottie bringing comfort and smiles to people of all ages throughout Tufts Medical Center—or follow their journey on Instagram at @AllPawsOnDeck_TuftsMed.
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