BELFAST — MaineHealth Waldo Hospital welcomes its newest volunteer team: Ellie, a certified pet therapy dog, and her handler, Anna Phillips.

Inspired by the positive impact of therapy animals after seeing a pastor bring their therapy dog to the office, Phillips began working with Ellie in a therapy capacity in 2025. Ellie, a three-and-a-half-year-old standard poodle, is registered through Pet Partners of Eastern Maine, a community partner of the national Pet Partners organization. Pet Partners’ mission is to improve human health and well-being through the human-animal bond, with volunteer teams providing comfort, connection and joy in a variety of settings and community spaces across the region.

Together, Phillips and Ellie have volunteered with several nonprofit organizations and served as part of a crisis response team following the January 2026 jet crash at Bangor International Airport.

“Studies show that interactions with therapy animals can reduce stress, ease feelings of anxiety and depression, help to lower blood pressure and enhance overall well-being,” said Jamie Geretz, manager of volunteer services at MaineHealth Pen Bay and Waldo Hospitals, in a news release. “We’re fortunate to have wonderful dogs and their handlers as volunteers sharing comfort and connection with our patients, visitors and care team members.”

At MaineHealth Waldo Hospital, Ellie will provide companionship and comfort to patients, families and care team members.

"Known for her calm demeanor and friendly nature, she enjoys long walks, playing fetch and, most of all, meeting new people," said MaineHealth. "Eager to brighten everyone’s days Ellie is already making a positive impact throughout the hospital."

Pet therapy is a volunteer service offered at both MaineHealth Pen Bay Hospital and MaineHealth Waldo Hospital. To learn more, visit: Volunteer | MaineHealth Waldo Hospital.

MaineHealth is a not-for-profit, integrated health system whose vision is, “Working together so our communities are the healthiest in America,” and is committed to a mission of providing high-quality affordable care, educating tomorrow's caregivers and researching better ways to provide care. MaineHealth includes a Level 1 trauma medical center, eight additional licensed hospitals, comprehensive pediatric care services, an extensive behavioral health care network, diagnostic services as well as home health, hospice and senior care services. With more than 2,000 employed providers and approximately 23,000 care team members, MaineHealth provides preventive care, diagnosis and treatment to 1.1 million residents in Maine and New Hampshire. MaineHealth hospitals include MaineHealth Behavioral Health at Spring Harbor in Westbrook, MaineHealth Franklin Hospital in Farmington, MaineHealth Lincoln Hospital in Damariscotta, MaineHealth Maine Medical Center in Portland, Biddeford and Sanford, MaineHealth Memorial Hospital in North Conway, N.H., MaineHealth Mid Coast Hospital in Brunswick, MaineHealth Pen Bay Hospital in Rockport, MaineHealth Stephens Hospital in Norway and MaineHealth Waldo Hospital in Belfast. MaineHealth also includes the MaineHealth Barbara Bush Children’s Hospital in Portland, MaineHealth Behavioral Health in Westbrook, MaineHealth Home Health and Hospice in Saco, the MaineHealth Institute for Research in Scarborough, the MaineHealth Medical Group and MaineHealth NorDx in Scarborough. MaineHealth affiliates include MaineGeneral Health in Augusta and Waterville. It is also a significant stakeholder in the MaineHealth Accountable Care Organization in Portland and a joint venture partner in the New England Rehabilitation Hospital in Portland.