Celebrating Love and Comfort: A Valentine’s Day Delight With Packard Paws Canines

On this Valentine’s Day, Lucile Packard Children’s Hospital Stanford was filled with extra love and warmth, thanks to three special four-legged health care providers from the Stanford Medicine Children’s Health Packard Paws facility dog program. Donatella, affectionately known as “Donnie”; Margie; and newcomer Courtney brought cards, balloons, and belly rubs, delivering heartfelt moments of joy and comfort to patients, families, and Stanford Medicine health care team members.

Donatella has been sharing love at Packard Children’s for eight years, while 3-year-old Courtney is just starting her new career journey. These Labrador retrievers go beyond typical visits by offering pet-assisted therapy and providing a unique healing touch that calms patients and fosters a bond filled with unconditional love and comfort.

“The dogs connect with our patients and give them a different kind of physical touch and connection that can’t be replicated through other treatments,” said Molly Marchand, CCLS, Donnie’s handler and Child Life Specialist.

Beyond Valentine’s Day celebrations, the therapy-assisted facility dogs play crucial roles in aiding recovery and enhancing patient well-being. Their healing presence encourages patient movement post-surgery and offers comforting companionship during chemotherapy. Each dog sees an average of 300 patients per year, delivering therapeutic value to everyone they meet.

Bringing cheer and lifting spirits

The surprise visits were particularly emotional for patients like Ashlan Trejo and Victoria Fernandez, whose smiles widened as they received Valentine’s cards and stuffed Labrador dolls from the dogs. “It made my day so much better,” said Victoria. “For me, it’s very therapeutic because I also have dogs at home and miss them so much. This visit helps a lot.”

It’s not just the patients who benefit from these special visits. The care team members around the hospital also receive much-needed encouragement, especially after challenging days. “It gives them perspective and meaning, particularly after the loss of a patient or a trauma,” said Marchand. “For some, having the dogs to pet really helps them through those days that sometimes feel really, really long.”

Donatella, Margie, and Courtney, expertly trained by Canine Companions, are instrumental members of the Stanford Medicine community, with the dog organization providing the retrievers to Stanford Medicine at no cost. Last year Packard Paws completed over 1200 visits. They make a lasting impact on lives, spreading joy and fostering healing, one paw and heartbeat at a time.