Pet Therapy
Being in the hospital can be a stressful time for you and your family. To make your stay at Bronson the best it can be, we offer pet therapy by request. Our talented and specially trained canine volunteers help bring comfort and smiles everywhere they go.
Pet therapy has been shown to provide several benefits for patients. It can:
- Provide distraction from pain and anxiety
- Alleviate sadness and depression
- Encourage healing
- Promote physical activity
- Enhance physical rehabilitation and speech therapy
- Reduce blood pressure
Meet our furry friends
Our pet therapy program began in the pediatric unit at Bronson Methodist Hospital more than 20 years ago. Due to overwhelming success, you can now request a visit from our furry friends in several units at Bronson LakeView, Bronson Battle Creek and Bronson Methodist hospitals.
Meet Turbo Pablos
Breed: Greyhound
Volunteer since: 2019
Volunteers with: Jerry and Shannon
Membership: Alliance of Therapy Dogs
Location: Bronson Methodist Hospital
Fun Facts:
- Retired racer, now a 45 MPH couch potato
- Knows English and Spanish commands
- Enjoys squeaky toys and napping upside down
- Loves meeting people
Meet Rudy
Breed: Pitbull
Volunteer since: 2022
Volunteers with: Tamiko
Membership: Alliance of Therapy Dogs and HOPE Animal Assisted Crisis Response
Fun Facts:
- He has traveled all over the Midwest competing in frisbee and dock diving.
- He was nicknamed “Rudy the Wunderdog” when he was found in Louisiana because he overcame a rough beginning.
- He will do anything for bacon.
- He likes to teach kids about fire prevention and his favorite thing to show them is ”Stop! Drop! And Roll!”
Meet Otis
Breed: English Cream Golden Retriever
Volunteer since: 2024
Volunteers with: Joe
Membership: Alliance of Therapy Dogs
Fun Facts:
- He will chose a human over a dog
- He LOVES water, especially Lake Michigan
- He has never met a treat he doesn't like
- He has an amazing gentle, caring soul
Meet Archer
Breed: Labrador Retriever
Volunteer since: 2024
Volunteers with: Brenda
Membership: Alliance of Therapy Dogs
Fun Facts:
- Archer loves tennis balls!
- Archer will eat anything!
- Archer has been a foster brother to over 100 dogs!!
- Archer will throw a fit if you are not paying attention to him!
Meet Oscar
Breed: Labradoodle
Volunteer since: 2024
Volunteers with: Jess
Membership: Alliance of Therapy Dogs and Good Canine Citizen
Fun Facts:
- Oscar lives on a fruit farm with geese and chickens
- Oscar loves hugs!
Meet Cooper
Breed: English Labrador
Fun Facts:
- Favorite move is a belly flop
- Knows over 15 tricks!
- Loves to ride a skateboard
- Loves watermelon, strawberries, blueberries, pumpkin and carrots
Meet Guinness
Breed: Border Collie
Volunteers with: Les
Membership: Alliance of Therapy Dogs and Good Canine Citizen
Fun Facts:
- Loves playing fetch with anything that can be thrown
- Loves peanut butter, ice cubes and popcorn
- Loves riding in the side by side utv
- Loves his job as a pet therapy dog
Meet Jesse
Breed: Golden Retriever
Volunteers with: Deana
Membership: Alliance of Therapy Dogs
Fun Facts:
- He loves pup cups and knows the words if you say it
- He loves his jolly ball
- He can put his toys away in his toy basket
- Loves to play hide and seek with his ball
