Celebrating the healing power of pets

A gentle nuzzle, a wagging tail and a warm presence — sometimes the best medicine has four legs and a furry coat. Across UHN hospitals, specially trained therapy dogs and their devoted handlers are bringing comfort, connection and calm to patients when they need it most. Their presence is a daily reminder of the healing power of connection and the comfort they bring to our patients.

Volunteering through St. John Ambulance and Therapeutic Paws of Canada, these teams extend their healing presence beyond hospitals to residences and schools as part of these non-profit organizations’ community outreach. At Toronto General Hospital, Toronto Western Hospital and Toronto Rehab, they create transformative emotional connections, offering patients a respite from medical concerns and a welcome distraction from treatment anxieties.

With teams tailoring their visits to meet the specific needs of each health care environment, their companionship adapts to each patient’s comfort level – whether through gentle petting and affectionate cuddles, meaningful conversations, or sharing everyday activities together.

Below, we are pleased to introduce several wonderful therapy animals who are making a difference at UHN.

Fletcher is a seven-year-old chocolate Labrador mix who has been volunteering in the dementia unit at Toronto Rehab with his handler Julie since October 2023.

As soon as Fletcher approaches the main entrance, his tail immediately starts wagging, because making people happy is Fletcher’s favourite thing to do – he has an amazing ability to understand when someone needs an extra bit of love, and is eager to offer it. On his days off, Fletcher stays active by playing with his friends at a local park, kayaking on the lake, or going for a ride in his bike trailer.

Ghost is a Husky mix who turned 10 in February, and regularly visits the stroke ward on the ninth floor at Toronto Rehab. Alongside his handler Stephen, he has volunteered at UHN since 2018, and has been visiting the stroke ward since July 2024.

Ghost is a happy boy with a sweet, gentle demeanor that makes him a perfect fit for his line of work as a therapy animal. When he’s not spreading smiles on the stroke ward, Ghost loves exploring places and going on new adventures – adventures that usually end up with a swim in the summer, or a roll-around in deep snow in the winter.

Carmy is a six-year-old Labrador mix who is originally from Mexico but came to Toronto as a puppy. Carmy and her handler Leandra volunteer at Toronto Rehab and visit acquired brain injury (ABI) patients. They have been volunteering for about a year-and-a-half, and Carmy is thriving. She loves visiting the patients as well as her nurse friends.

Outside of her job, Carmy loves playing fetch, swimming and napping. If she is not playing she is resting, and her favourite food is salmon skin and pizza. She absolutely loves people, especially if they will give her bum a scratch!

Rufus is a four-year-old Golden Retriever who started volunteering at UHN alongside his handler Ann in January 2025. They have been visiting the third floor of UHN’s West Park Healthcare Centre site, which provides specialized rehabilitative and complex care after a life‐altering illness or injury such as lung disease, amputation, stroke, and traumatic musculoskeletal injuries.

Despite his size, at home Rufus thinks he is a lap dog. He enjoys giving hugs, and loves being close to Ann and the rest of the family – including his little brother Ryder!

Ruby is a 12-year-old mini Labradoodle who has been volunteering with her handler Marilyn since August 2015 at Toronto Western Hospital’s post-operative care inpatient units.

Ruby is an energetic digger and ball-chaser, an intrepid swimmer, and loves to chase squirrels. She is exceptionally affectionate, and loves to have people pet her and rub her belly. She loves her work as a therapy dog and is a very funny girl, who – when she is very happy – wags her whole body, and emits a dolphin-like whine. Marilyn thinks this means, “I’m so happy it hurts!”.