MENDOTA - A new member is being added to the team of caregivers and medical healers at OSF Saint Paul Medical Center in Mendota.
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Gigi
MENDOTA - A new member is being added to the team of caregivers and medical healers at OSF Saint Paul Medical Center in Mendota. Her name is “Gigi” and she is friendly, easy to get close to and will lift the spirits of any patient she encounters.
Gigi, a 7-year old Chocolate Labradoodle, has the distinction of being the first to join the hospital’s pet therapy program, Healing Paws. She is a specially trained therapy dog, who will visit the hospital with her owner by request to bring comfort to patients. Therapy dogs are shown to reduce stress, anxiety, pain and blood pressure, while increasing patient social interaction and communication. Gigi will begin greeting and seeing patients the week of April 3.
“We believe in treating the emotional as well as the physical needs of our patients,” said OSF Saint Paul Medical Center President Jennifer Junis.
For more information on Healing Paws at OSF Saint Paul, or if you and your pet are interested in volunteering for the program, please call Stacy Neill, director of quality and safety, at (815) 539-1614.
