ROCKFORD, Ill. (WTVO) — UW Health Swedish American is seeking more volunteers for its Caring Canines program, which brings comfort to patients and hospital staff through visits by dog teams.
The Caring Canines program, originally launched in 2010, allows local residents to volunteer with their dogs to visit people in the hospital. The program was paused during the COVID-19 pandemic but was revived in May. Currently, five volunteer teams participate in the initiative.
“Being able to be the cause of someone’s smile is absolutely what makes my day and his,” said Sarah Schroeder, a volunteer with her dog Leonard. “Being able to just brighten someone’s day, because being in a hospital, it’s not fun. Nobody loves being in the hospital. So, being able to bring in some kind of joy is absolutely perfect.”…