Emanuel Hospice Seeks Therapy Dogs to Comfort Patients

In Grand Rapids, Emanuel Hospice is asking the community for help in a way that touches both hearts and lives: they are looking for friendly dogs to join their therapy program and bring comfort to patients nearing the end of life. To make this possible, the nonprofit fully covers the cost of training and certification, ensuring each therapy dog and handler is prepared to provide support in sensitive environments.

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One of the dogs already making a difference is Willow, a four-year-old Australian Labradoodle. Known for her calm personality and wagging tail, Willow has become a favorite among patients. Her owner, Kelly Griffin, described the joy she brings during visits: “Their eyes light up, they smile.” Willow often climbs onto beds, lies quietly beside patients, and allows them to pet her while conversations and memories flow around them.

Currently, Emanuel Hospice works with about nine certified therapy dogs but hopes to expand that number. Staff explained that these dogs provide a kind of healing presence that words alone cannot offer. Simply having a dog nearby helps reduce anxiety and loneliness, creating a sense of peace during some of life’s most difficult moments.

The program is rewarding for the dogs as well. A spokesperson noted, “They get to meet people, they get love all day, they get to go into a new setting. They’re kind of at work, and they love it.” Each therapy dog even receives a badge, symbolizing their place as a valued part of the care team.

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Training for new therapy dogs takes several weeks, but thanks to Emanuel Hospice, volunteers don’t have to worry about costs. The organization emphasizes that the rewards are immeasurable. “I wish everyone who had a wonderful dog could do this because it is so rewarding and it gives so much joy,” Griffin said.

Therapy dogs not only brighten patients’ days but also lift the spirits of staff and visitors. Willow, for example, has become a favorite not only in patient rooms but even in the newsroom where her story was first shared. Emanuel Hospice also creates information cards for each therapy dog, helping patients and families feel more connected to the animals who comfort them.

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To welcome new volunteers, Emanuel Hospice is hosting an orientation on Tuesday, October 21, from 1 to 4 p.m. The session will explain the program in detail and introduce prospective participants to the process of becoming a therapy dog team. For those interested, it is a unique opportunity to make a lasting impact—helping patients face the end of life with love, dignity, and the companionship of a dog.