Moffitt Cancer Center’s Therapy Dogs Provide Comfort and Joy
Volunteers at Moffitt Cancer Center have become familiar figures with their noticeable red vests and therapy dogs by their side. These specially trained dogs, donning color-coordinated harnesses marked with Therapy Dog, walk the halls of Moffitt Cancer Center campuses, spreading smiles and offering comfort to patients and staff alike.
The pet therapy program at Moffitt Cancer Center has been a cherished initiative for over 30 years. According to volunteer coordinator Kelsey Stewart, it is considered the center’s crown jewel. Certified therapy dogs and their dedicated owners visit Moffitt’s campuses to provide companionship and solace to patients.
Teddy, the oldest therapy dog at Moffitt’s Magnolia campus, is an 11-year-old gray Maltipoo. Despite his age, Teddy eagerly stands on his hind legs, accepting rubs and treats from visitors. Teddy and his owner, Phil Scheidt, make the trip from Lake Jovita to Tampa every Thursday to bring comfort to those in need.
Volunteers are given a list of patients who have requested pet therapy for the day, typically around five to ten patients. The dogs and their owners venture beyond patient rooms, wandering through hallways, offices, and waiting areas. Marlene Csunyo, accompanied by her Australian Labradoodle named Jolie, allows Jolie to follow her instincts in choosing whom to approach and where to stop. Jolie has a soft spot for children and people in wheelchairs.
It takes a special kind of dog to become a therapy dog at Moffitt. Remaining calm is crucial, even in the midst of a hectic and noisy environment. The dogs must refrain from barking, stealing food, jumping on people, or licking them. For Jolie, resisting the temptation of nearby food during therapeutic sessions was the most challenging aspect of becoming certified.
Alan Preston and his West Highland White Terrier, Finlay, have volunteered at Moffitt campuses since 2017. Over the past six years, they estimate visiting over 4,000 patients. Tally counters hanging around their necks keep track of their countless interactions. Preston often wears conversation-invoking pins on his vest, including one that proudly declares him a Therapy Dog Dad. The dogs themselves wear special attire such as badges and small ties, adding to their endearing presence.
The goal of Moffitt’s therapy dog program is to bring a smile to someone’s face, and it undeniably succeeds. As one woman who stopped to pet Finlay remarked, I’m feeling better already. Many volunteers at Moffitt have personal connections to the center and its mission of fighting cancer. Phil Scheidt’s late wife was a patient and volunteer, Marlene Csunyo’s mother battled breast cancer, and Alan Preston himself was diagnosed with thyroid cancer last October.
Now, Preston acts as a certifier through Moffitt’s partner organization, Project Pup. He leads certification sessions at the hospital, helping dogs become therapy-certified and guiding them through the program. While dogs do not have to be certified at Moffitt to apply for the pet therapy program, owners can get their dogs certified at Moffitt without committing to volunteering. Nonetheless, Stewart hopes the program will continue to thrive and reach greater heights, particularly after a decrease in volunteers due to the pandemic. Moffitt’s Magnolia campus currently attracts the most volunteers and dogs, but all of their locations, including the new hospital on McKinley Drive in Tampa, participate in the program.
To learn more about Moffitt Cancer Center’s therapy dog program, visit their website. The program’s enduring presence at the center is a testament to the healing power of these furry friends and their ability to bring comfort, joy, and hope to those facing challenging times.
