Pet Therapy
Here at Silver Cross, our pet therapy dogs bring smiles to everyone they encounter. If you or someone you know is hospitalized, you can request a visit from one of our furry friends! The healing effects of a wagging tail are well-documented. Research shows a visit from a friendly pup can reduce pain, anxiety, depression and fatigue. Even Florence Nightingale recommended “a small pet animal” as an “excellent companion for the sick.”
Request a Visit
Silver Cross currently has several dog/handler teams that visit our patients in the hospital. If you’re interested in a dose of puppy love during your stay, please contact (815) 300-7975. Our teams also visit organizations and schools in the community with special needs.
Our Pet Therapy Team
Meet some of our friendly dogs:
Full Name: Bode (pronounced Bodie)
Owner: Trish
Breed: Poodle, Bichon mix
Birthday: Dec. 2, 2017
Background: Bode lives in a wooded area of Frankfort. He loves to patrol his surroundings by barking at the deer, and chasing squirrels and birds. Bode has been studying and competing in both Nose Work and Rally. This winter he is adding competition obedience to his activities. He really enjoys learning new things and interacting with other animals. Bode is a very gentle and loving dog. He loves everyone and thinks they are all his friends. We were really happy when he passed his Therapy Dog Intl. test and was able to join the pet therapy program at Silver Cross. He really loves meeting the patients and staff. Giving and getting cuddles and affection seems to be his favorite activity!
Full Name: Hector "Moses" Brooks
Owner: Lisa Brooks
Breed: Labrador Retriever, Chocolate
Birthday: May 28, 2012 (Memorial Day)
Current Weight 94 lbs (down from 120!)
Likes: peanut butter, watermelon ice cubes, belly rubs, butt scratches, going for walks, car rides, any attention, small dogs and LOVES going to day camp at Camp Bow Wow in New Lenox.
Dislikes: an empty food bowl, breaking a sweat, broccoli, bananas. His restrictive diet for his allergies
Accomplishments: CGC – Canine Good Citizen, AKC Community Canine, TDI – Therapy Dog International, Upland Hunt Training – pheasant, dove, quail, chukar.
He has been to South Dakota several times to hunt with his dad. He has a great nose and loves to find the birds.
Moses is a loving, gentle, sometimes goofy 11.5 year old chocolate lab who lives with a Wirehaired Pointing Griffon (WPG), Julio David (Julio), who is 7 and also TDI Certified and a 9 month old chocolate lab named Juan Elijah (aka Eli). Eli is Moses half nephew.
Moses is a happy boy and people in all of his classes always commented on Moses wagging tail and his smile. His tail literally never stopped wagging the whole class and he is the way when he visits the patients.
When Moses was just a puppy he fell thru the ice in the middle of our pond and had to get rescued, he couldn’t pull himself out. Thankfully, it didn’t scare him from the water but it scared us - we now fence off the entire pond every winter so he can’t get to it.
Moses loves going “to work” and gets very excited when he sees me grab his ‘go’ gear to visit patients. Moses is not a big barker but when he gets excited he can ‘play bark’ and his bark is big like him. Moses likes to think of himself as a lap dog and watches TV every night from his mama’s lap. He is a great big brother, patient and a quick learner.
Moses has some severe arthritis in his back and rear legs and has been going to PT to help strengthen his legs and back. The results have been amazing and have allowed him to continue to do his Therapy Dog Visits. Some of his PT consists of underwater treadmill, massage, redlight laser, acupuncture, and exercises.
Full Name: Tucker
Breed: Golden Retriever
Background: Tucker is a friendly, loving & intelligent pure-bred Golden Retriever. From the very beginning we knew he would be an excellent therapy dog. He has his Canine Good Citizen award as well as his Therapy Dogs International Certificate. Tucker loves coming to the hospital to greet Patients and Staff. Outside the hospital, he loves to go on long walks and play with his friends at K-9 Tailshakers. He also loves to chase the squirrels and bunnies who visit his backyard.
Owner: Bonnie Groeneveld
Breed: Snoodle (Schnauzer/Poodle)
Birthday: April 17, 2013
Background: Daisy chose her human family by being a fuzzy fur ball. She loves having her chin rubbed and being around people. She is very smart and learns quickly. Pleasing those around her is her biggest asset. She enjoys playing with the three large Labradoodle dogs that come to visit. She love exploring her yard and sniffing for new animals.
Full Name: Leo
Owner: Sarah
Breed: German Wire-Haired Pointer/Golden Retriever
Birthday: March 28, 2019
Background: Leo is a four-year-old German Wire-Haired Pointer/Golden Retriever mix. His birthday is 3/28/2019. After he was adopted at 10 months old, he started his training. He has his Canine Good Citizen title, Canine Good Citizen Urban title, and his Therapy Dog International certification. Leo absolutely loves people of all ages as well as canine friends. Outside of therapy work, he enjoys playing lots of catch and going to the dog friendly places/events. Leo and his owner Sarah can’t wait to spread his love and positivity with the staff and patients of Silver Cross Hospital.
Full Name: Julio David Brooks
Owner: Lisa Brooks
Breed: Wirehaired Pointing Griffon (WPG) aka Korthals Griffon – Dutch Ancestry
Birthday: June, 30, 2016
Current Weight: 63 lbs
Likes: peanut butter, belly rubs, butt scratches, going for walks, car rides, any attention, LOVES going to day camp at Camp Bow Wow in New Lenox.
Dislikes: being left behind, sharing, being told what to do
Accomplishments: CGC – Canine Good Citizen, AKC Community Canine, TDI – Therapy Dog International, Upland Hunt Training – pheasant, dove, quail, chukar.
Agility Training: He has been to South Dakota several times to hunt with his dad. He has a great nose and loves to find birds. He is a beast in the field.
Julio is a strong willed, loving, gentle and bull in the china shop mamas boy. His breed is aka the “Velcro” breed. They want to be with their people at all times and do not like being left alone. Julio has 2 brothers. Hector “Moses”, who is a 11.5 year old chocolate lab and also a certified TDI dog and Juan “Elijah” who is 9 months old and also a chocolate lab.
Julio is a smart boy who loves to use his brain and work. Whether its in the field, in the hospital, doing agility or just practicing basic commands.
Julios favorite toy is called a Jolly Ball. Technically it is a toy for horses that has a handle on it that comes in many different colors and scents. He has about 30 of them and is OBSESSED with them.
Julio keeps us on our toes with his energy. We love him and can’t imagine our lives without him.
Full Name: Raspberry Woods Lucy Loo (Lucy)
Owner: Celene Fitzgerald
Breed: AKC Registered Standard Poodle
Birthday: November 23, 2015
Background: Lucy has been in obedience training for two years and earned her Canine Good Citizen Award in 2016. She received her Therapy Dogs International Certification in May 2017. Lucy is an extremely gentle and caring dog. She began visiting at Silver Cross Hospital in July 2017. She is loving all the attention and hugs she receives and gives all her love in return. Lucy's very favorite thing to do is swim, but she also likes to chase squirrels, play fetch and can catch the ball on the fly. She loves playing with the 11 young grandchildren and is quite accomplished at playing hide and seek. I hope and feel that she brings a sense of peace and joy to everyone she meets.
Full Name: Summer
Breed: Labrador Retriever
Owner: Ray Garritano
Background: Summer is a Labrador Retriever who is pure white. At thirteen months of age, she earned her Canine Good Citizen, Canine Good Citizen Advanced, and Therapy Dogs International (TDI) Certifications. Her owner, Ray Garritano and Summer trained together for eight months for Summer to garner those certificates. Summer loves everyone and could play for hours with children. Every day is a happy day for her. Summer has a sister named Molly who is a four-year-old Chihuahua who has her Canine Good Citizen Certification. Summer and Molly play well together because, counter to general belief, Molly also loves everyone, too! Summer would love to say hello to you at Silver Cross Hospital. You cannot miss her due to her bright white and soft as silk coat.
Full Name: Tuxedo
Owners: Elice and Brian DeRoos
Breed: Shih Tzu Poodle (ShihPoo)
Birthday: March 2012
Background: Tux received his Canine Good Citizen and Therapy Dog International Certification in 2016. In addition to visiting Silver Cross, he enjoys going to Lincolnway Special Recreation Center. When he isn't busy with therapy work, Tux loves doing agility and playing with little sister Breeze. Breeze is a very rambunctious 2-year old that keeps Tux on his toes!
Fun Fact: Tuxedo was jet black with a white chest and paws when he was born (hence his name). He went gray after just three months and goes by Tux now.
