Tilly, a big shaggy black Newfoundland dog, ambles into Sutter Roseville Medical Center by the side of her owner and handler, Sherri Smith. The two are visiting patients in the medical center to bring some comfort and happiness to an otherwise routine medical stay.
The program is a new service within Sutter Roseville Medical Center’s Auxiliary Volunteer Services. Tilly and Sherri became members of the hospital Auxiliary in order to participate in the pet therapy program.
Five year old Tilly, who is friendly and calm, fits the criteria for a therapy dog as she does very well in strange settings. Even so, she had to undergo training to be a therapy dog and afterward had to pass a test for certification.
Tilly began visiting patients three years ago at Ohio State University Medical Center where she was the first dog to visit patients in the medical center’s burn unit. There she volunteered for two years until her owners, Sherri and her husband, spine surgeon, Dr. Tyler Smith, relocated to Roseville, CA.
Today, Tilly strolls through the patient units at Sutter Roseville and waits patiently when Sherri stops at the door of a patient’s room to see if the patient would like a visit with Tilly. Together the two walk into the room to the patient. Tilly places her massive head on the patient’s bed and receives friendly pats and on her soft fluffy fur. She listens quietly as Sherri and the patient talk.
Currently there are three therapy dogs and four handlers in the Pet Therapy program and the Auxiliary is looking for more volunteers and therapy dogs. Volunteer handlers must join the hospital Auxiliary and animals accepted into this program must be trained and must pass a test.
For more information about volunteering for the Pet Therapy program please call Susan Rutledge at 916-781-1587 or email rutleds@sutterhealth.org
The Sutter Roseville Medical Center Foundation, the charitable arm of the hospital, is funding this new Pet Therapy program to bring trained therapy dogs into the hospital to encourage and raise the spirits of patients and their families. The Foundation provides supplemental funding to help support health and wellness programs and services and most recently, construction at Sutter Roseville Medical Center.
Donations to the program may be made through the SRMC Foundation, One Medical Plaza, Roseville, CA, 95661 or though calling (916) 781-1234.