Pavlov and friends share the love with kiddos in the children’s hospital.
Cedar Springs resident Jasmine Whitehead, 10 months old, relaxes with Mario, an 8-year-old Yorkie, during the West Michigan Therapy Dogs visit at Spectrum Health Helen DeVos Children's Hospital. Jasmine is being treated for Kawasaki disease. (Taylor Ballek | Spectrum Health Beat)
Grand Haven resident Sara Bergman, 17, pets Bullet, a 6-year-old Doberman Pinscher, as he lays in her bed. (Taylor Ballek | Spectrum Health Beat)
Pavlov, a 6-year-old Great Dane Mastiff mix, visits with children and staff during the West Michigan Therapy Dogs visit. (Taylor Ballek | Spectrum Health Beat)
Ada resident Gabrielle Bates, 15, gets a kiss from Mario in her hospital bed. Bates is being treated for pneumonia. "Oh my gosh, Mom, I want one," Bates said. (Taylor Ballek | Spectrum Health Beat)
Spectrum Health nurse J.P. McDaniel hugs Pavlov during a visit. "My favorite buddy is here to see me," McDaniel said. (Taylor Ballek | Spectrum Health Beat)
Grand Haven resident Sara Bergman, 17, receives a kiss from Bullet. (Taylor Ballek | Spectrum Health Beat)
Sunshine, a 10-year-old Standard Poodle poses for a photo during the West Michigan Therapy Dogs visit at Helen DeVos Children's Hospital. (Taylor Ballek | Spectrum Health Beat)
Ada resident Gabrielle Bates, 15, lays with Mario in her hospital bed. "His little boots are so cute," Bates said. (Taylor Ballek | Spectrum Health Beat)
Pavlov is rewarded for being a good dog with an ice cream cone. "He gets an ice cream cone after every visit before we leave," Lisa Fuller, Pavlov's owner, said. (Taylor Ballek | Spectrum Health Beat)
Judy Goodwin holds her Yorkie, Mario, in between visiting patients. (Taylor Ballek | Spectrum Health Beat)
Bullet sniffs Cedar Springs resident Jasmine Whitehead, 10 months old, before giving her lick. (Taylor Ballek | Spectrum Health Beat)
Pavlov gets some love from Grand Rapids resident Josiah Beard, 11, during a visit in his hospital room. (Taylor Ballek | Spectrum Health Beat)
Bullet lies in bed with Sand Lake resident, Leah VanderLugt, 11, during a visit. (Taylor Ballek | Spectrum Health Beat)
Peyton, a 7-year-old Springer Spaniel, sits on Karen Bolt's lap to do his Sleeping Beauty backwards trick. Bolt will kiss his cheek, causing Peyton to fall backwards and go to sleep, unlike the tale where Sleeping Beauty receives a kiss to wake up. (Taylor Ballek | Spectrum Health Beat)
Spectrum Health nurse J.P. McDaniel meets Mario during a visit. "Look how cute you are with your little sandals," McDaniel said. (Taylor Ballek | Spectrum Health Beat)
"He sometimes has to wait a second before he continues eating his ice cream because he will get a brain freeze," Fuller said. (Taylor Ballek | Spectrum Health Beat)
Peyton eats ice cream after a busy day of visiting patients at Helen DeVos Children's Hospital. (Taylor Ballek | Spectrum Health Beat)
Pavlov does a trick for his owner, Lissa Fuller, while visiting patients. Pavlov is a 150-pound Great Dane Mastiff mix. (Taylor Ballek | Spectrum Health Beat)
Bullet, a Doberman Pinscher, does a trick for a treat before meeting with patients. (Taylor Ballek | Spectrum Health Beat)
The West Michigan Therapy Dogs visit Helen DeVos Children's Hospital every other Tuesday of each month. (Taylor Ballek | Spectrum Health Beat)
Gavin Beard, 12, left, and his brother Josiah, 11, visit with Bullet in Josiah's hospital room at Helen DeVos Children's Hospital. (Taylor Ballek | Spectrum Health Beat)
Spectrum Health nurse J.P. McDaniel greets Pavlov during a visit. (Taylor Ballek | Spectrum Health Beat)
Mario pants as he waits in line with his owner, Judy Goodwin, to get ice cream. (Taylor Ballek | Spectrum Health Beat)
Gavin Beard, 12, hugs Pavlov before he leaves his brother's hospital room. (Taylor Ballek | Spectrum Health Beat)
Irene Wilcox sits with Bullet in between visiting patients at Helen DeVos Children's Hospital. (Taylor Ballek | Spectrum Health Beat)
Bullet sniffs Mario's face. (Taylor Ballek | Spectrum Health Beat)
Judy Goodwin occasionally likes to put Mario on Pavlov's back before entering a patient's room. "It usually always puts a smile on their face," Goodwin said. (Taylor Ballek | Spectrum Health Beat)
Helen DeVos Children's Hospital gives the therapy dog owners a voucher for free ice cream for them and their pups after every visit. (Taylor Ballek | Spectrum Health Beat)
The littlest of the pack, Mario, an 8-year-old Yorkie wearing tiny Velcro shoes, proved to be quite popular.
When Ada resident Gabrielle Bates, 15, saw Mario jaunt into her room, she gasped and covered her mouth in excitement. Bates is being treated for pneumonia.
“Oh my gosh, Mom, I want one,” Bates said.
After all their visits, some of the dogs used their volunteer vouchers to chill out with a treat.
Pavlov, an 150-pound Great Dane Mastiff mix was among one of the dogs who enjoyed an ice cream cone.
“He sometimes has to wait a second before he continues eating his ice cream because he will get a brain freeze,” Lissa Fuller, Pavlov’s human companion, explained.
The non-profit therapy dog organization visits Helen DeVos Children’s Hospital every other Tuesday to help promote physical, emotional and psychological support, as well as offer some bonus cuddling, licks and tricks for patients, family members and staff.
what amazing pictures. the dogs make the kids so happy. I have seen Irene with Bullet at St.Marys chemotherapy section .my mom just loves to see him and the other therapy dogs. puts a smile on everyone’s faces
what amazing pictures. the dogs make the kids so happy. I have seen Irene with Bullet at St.Marys chemotherapy section .my mom just loves to see him and the other therapy dogs. puts a smile on everyone’s faces
Thanks Julie! 🙂