How do therapy dogs help patients? See for yourself at this Broward children’s hospital

Michelle Marchante

Joe DiMaggio Children’s Hospital has a new furry employee ready to help kids stay calm during their hospital visits.

Meet Golden Delicious. The 2-year-old golden retriever, nicknamed Goldie, is Memorial Healthcare System’s newest therapy dog. The pup underwent two years of training with nonprofit Educated Canines Assisting with Disabilities, or ECAD, to get ready for his new role at the Hollywood hospital.

Aniyah Richardson, left, and Mariana Villasmil, right, patients at Joe DiMaggio Children’s Hospital pet Golden Delicious aka “Goldie”, the new therapy dog, on Thursday, May 23, 2024, at Joe DiMaggio Children’s Hospital in Hollywood, Fla. Goldie will join his uncle, Freedom, as part of the hospital’s Animal Assisted Therapy program.
Aniyah Richardson, left, and Mariana Villasmil, right, patients at Joe DiMaggio Children’s Hospital pet Golden Delicious aka “Goldie”, the new therapy dog, on Thursday, May 23, 2024, at Joe DiMaggio Children’s Hospital in Hollywood, Fla. Goldie will join his uncle, Freedom, as part of the hospital’s Animal Assisted Therapy program.

Goldie, who comes from a family of therapy dogs and is Memorial’s sixth full-time therapy dog, will be tasked with giving kids hugs and making them smile.

Experts say petting and interacting with dogs can help reduce stress, fear and anxiety in patients. Goldie is set to work eight-hour shifts at the children’s hospital, with breaks and naps through the day.

He had his first day of work this week.

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