Thomaston Feed of Cheshire Commits to Feeding Galya - Gaylord Hospital’s Working Facility Dog - For Life

It all started with a single birthday wish. Gaylord Hospital Regional Manager of Outpatient Services Jason Zagorski was about to turn 40 years old, and his friend Nicole Cammack and her fiancé wanted to celebrate by giving him a special gift.

That’s when Zagorski told his friend, who also happened to be manager of Thomaston Feed in Cheshire - a store offering holistic pet food and supplements - all about Galya, Gaylord Hospital’s working facility dog who has lifted the spirits of hundreds of patients recovering from devastating injury or illness.

“All Jason wanted was for us to give Galya a month’s supply of dog food in his honor,” she said. Cammack and her Thomaston Feed colleagues were not only happy to not only fulfill Zagorski’s request, but took it one step further: the family-run natural and holistic pet food and supplement business happily offered to feed Galya for life.

Galya is a sweet-natured yellow lab who came to Gaylord after two years of training from Canine Companions for Independence and was integrated into the hospital’s care to improve patients’ quality of life, increase their motivation, and help patients de-stress.

At the beginning of each work day Galya and her handler, Unit Manager of Gaylord’s Rehabilitation Division Heather Hancort, RN, visit brain injured and spinal cord patients who have specifically requested to see her as well as other patients who have been identified to be in need of a morale boost. The rest of Galya’s day is equally busy as she is often found assisting patients in the gyms or in therapy sessions elsewhere on campus.

Gaylord Hospital recently celebrated Galya’s one-year anniversary at the hospital with a “paw-ty” for her, staff and patients alike. Cammack was on hand to present Galya with a basket of her favorite “cookies” and toys and to officially declare Thomaston Feed’s lifetime promise.

Cammack, an animal nutrition expert who also has committed to feeding several local police dogs for life, says that it is “always a joy to watch Galya interact with patients.”

“It’s so heartwarming,” said Cammack. “You can’t put words to it. You see Galya work with people who are trying to come back from the worst point in their life. And seeing them light up around her is amazing. It means a lot to be a part of that.”

About Thomaston Feed
With stores located in Brookfield, Cheshire, Thomaston and River Vale, NJ, Thomaston Feed is a family run business specializing in dog and cat nutrition and holistic alternatives to synthetic medicines since 1990.

About Gaylord Specialty Healthcare
Gaylord Specialty Healthcare, headquartered in Wallingford, Connecticut is a not-for profit long-term 137 bed long-term acute care hospital that specializes in the care and treatment of people with complex medical and intensive rehabilitation issues. Gaylord also operates outpatient therapy centers in Wallingford, North Haven, and Cheshire. For latest news or more information go to their website at www.gaylord.org.