McLaren Greater Lansing has launched a pet therapy program, and leading the way is a very special pup. Jasper, a 6-year-old “Aussiedoodle” (Australian shepherd and poodle mix), visits the hospital every Tuesday with his handler, David Wilson. Jasper has been a certified therapy dog for four years and brings a calm, friendly presence wherever he goes.
“His years of experience make him well suited for the hospital environment, where his quiet confidence and gentle demeanor immediately put people at ease,” said Wilson.
Although Jasper is the first therapy dog in the program’s return, the idea isn’t entirely new.
“We had the program prior to COVID-19, and we have been working on bringing it back for some time,” said Michelle Deputat, patient experience director at McLaren Greater Lansing. “The patient experience department received much interest in the program as a benefit for our patients, staff, providers, and visitors.”
The benefits are felt across the board. For patients, visits from therapy dogs like Jasper can reduce stress and anxiety, provide emotional support, and break up the hospital routine with something positive and comforting. Staff and providers also enjoy a much-needed boost from interacting with the dogs.
“A visit with the dogs helps reduce stress and anxiety while encouraging social interaction and a sense of connection,” said Deputat. “The staff and patients have already embraced the few minutes they get with the dogs with smiles, joy, and laughs.”
The program is organized through the volunteer department and follows onboarding protocols. Therapy dog teams, both the dog and its handler, must meet all the hospital’s volunteer requirements, including employee health checks, compliance, and infection control guidelines. They receive formal training and a hospital-issued badge like other volunteers. The teams currently participating are certified through the Alliance of Therapy Dogs (ATD), a respected national organization. Vaccination records for all dogs are carefully maintained and monitored.
While Jasper has quickly become a familiar face at McLaren, he now has teammates.
“We have already expanded the program with the addition of two other dogs, Cali and Scout,” said Deputat.
Cali is a “Cavapoo” (King Charles Cavalier and poodle mix) and Scout is a 4-year-old golden retriever. Together these therapy dogs are helping to make the hospital feel a little more like home.
To learn more about the volunteer program at McLaren Greater Lansing, click here.
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