Pet Therapy

Pet Therapy at EMH - a "Pawsitive" Purpose!

EMH has officially gone to the dogs...therapy dogs, that is.

Patients of EMH Elyria Medical Center are now being offered the opportunity to receive a visit from one of 10 dogs currently participating in a new pet therapy program.  Ranging from a rescued Greyhound named "Cappie," to a Border Collie named "Fly," these sweet and loving animals have gone through significant training and testing for certification and to gain entry into EMH's program.

Each dog is accompanied by a certified handler (usually the dog's owner) as well as an EMH volunteer liaison.  The liaison enters the patient's room prior to the handler and the dog, to ask the patient if they would like to have a visit. 

A contest was held in December to name the EMH pet therapy program.  More than 100 entries from employees, physicians and volunteers at the hospital were received!  The winning entry - "Pawsitive Purpose" - came from Wanda Carney, a registered nurse and data analyst in EMH's quality improvement department.

If your dog is certified by Therapy Dogs International or Delta Society and you'd like to get involved in Pawsitive Purpose, please contact Lois Koehler at 440.329.7362.