MaineHealth Waldo Hospital welcomes third therapy dog
BELFAST — MaineHealth Waldo Hospital (MHWH) welcomes pet therapy dog Jamison and his handler, Mary Anne Riley, to its roster of volunteers, bringing the total number of pet therapy duos who offer this special service at MHWH to three.
“Studies have shown that pet therapy has many benefits, including decreasing stress and depression and lowering blood pressure,” said Jamie Geretz, director of volunteer services at MaineHealth Pen Bay and Waldo Hospitals, in a news release. “We’re fortunate to have wonderful dogs and volunteers in our community who make it possible to offer this service to our patients, visitors and care team members.”
Jamison is a one-and-a-half-year-old German Shephard and Rhodesian Ridgeback mix and a trained pet therapy dog through the Love on a Leash training program. He started his pet therapy career last summer at the Belfast Free Library’s reading program and currently visits Harbor Hill Center on a weekly basis.
Pet therapy animals undergo special training where they learn to be calm, caring visitors. Their handlers volunteer their time, accompanying their pets as they visit with patients. With the addition of Jamison and Mary Anne, pet therapy visits will now be available three times per week for MHWH patients that want them.
“A visit from a pet can provide a welcome distraction and sense of comfort for patients in the hospital,” said Geretz, adding that the visits can be just as beneficial to care team members and visitors who might be having a challenging day. “Pet therapy adds that little bright spot in someone’s day.”
Pet therapy is a volunteer service offered at both MHWH and MHPBH. To learn more about volunteer services, visit: Volunteer | MaineHealth
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 Maine General Health in Augusta and Waterville and St. Mary's Health System in Lewiston. 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.