Volunteer pet therapy program returns at MultiCare

Tails are wagging again in MultiCare hospitals and clinics.

After a multiyear pause due to the COVID-19 pandemic, MultiCare’s Person & Animal Wellness Support (PAWS) program is back, returning volunteer therapy dogs like 13-year-old dalmatian Ellie to hospitals and clinics to the delight of patients and staff.

A paw-fect pair

Ellie and owner Karen Wissinger have been side by side for over a decade.

After 45 years in the medical field, Wissinger is spending retirement channeling her lifelong passion for dogs and healing into pet therapy. Along with her husband, she travels to hospitals, colleges and elementary schools so kids and adults alike can find comfort amid stressful moments.

“I feel like what I’m doing is very valuable,” Wissinger shares. “What really keeps me going is Ellie. She enjoys it so much.”

On a gray morning, Ellie sits in the waiting area of Mary Bridge Children’s Therapy Center – Renton, patiently watching for arriving kids. Her ears perk up and her tail sways whenever they walk through the door, as Wissinger invites patients in for a gentle pet. The moment their hands brush the pup’s soft, spotted fur, smiles aren’t far behind.

Ellie’s eyes tell the story — she’s in her happy place.

The duo is elated to be back at the clinic; they’ve been volunteers for years. Soon, they’ll begin visiting MultiCare Good Samaritan Hospital.

Animal-assisted staff care

In addition to patient visits, the PAWS program is relaunching with an emphasis on MultiCare staff.

Kristi Martin, director of professional outreach at Good Samaritan and board member of MultiCare Good Samaritan Foundation, is utilizing her educational background to help expand the program at the hospital. She’s currently writing her dissertation on the benefits of pet therapy for health care professionals. 

“With high levels of burnout and stress, how can we as an organization use something like PAWS that we already plan to use for patients?” Martin says. “How do we also take care of our team members?”

Research shows that even a small amount of time with pets has positive effects — releasing endorphins, lowering blood pressure and decreasing anxiety. An opportunity for staff to visit with a furry friend during their shift can provide important rejuvenation.

“We want to create moments that are more meaningful than just ‘Do you want to pet my dog?’ and then moving on,” says Fran Waller, executive director of MultiCare Volunteer Services. “It’s a more engaged opportunity.”

In the future, pet therapy teams will be available on-call for MultiCare’s donor-supported Code Lavender program, providing additional care for staff who’ve experienced an emotionally stressful event.

“We want all staff to feel supported, to feel like MultiCare is a great place to work, a healthy place, and that we’re taking care of all of their health needs, too,” Martin explains.

The impact of giving unleashed

Volunteers like Wissinger and Ellie are the heartbeat of MultiCare PAWS. While only previous volunteers are returning at the moment, teams will soon be invited into more hospitals and clinics. This expansion can be expedited with donor support.

To safely enter MultiCare facilities, all dogs must have specific certifications, vaccines and health tests — costs volunteers currently take on themselves. Giving toward this beloved program reduces financial barriers, meaning more pets and handlers can spread joy.

“I’m so thankful for our pet therapy volunteers, those with two legs and four,” Waller says. “And to everyone who supports this program, you’re bringing much-needed comfort and smiles to our patients and staff.”