The NOW Clinic invites patients to enjoy visits from trained, certified therapy dogs in the lobby. Our Healing Hounds team is dedicated to enhancing your clinic experience and overall comfort. Benefits of human-animal bonding include
- stress relief
- reduced anxiety
- increased motivation
- better self-esteem
What is a therapy dog?
According to the American Kennel Club (AKC), therapy dogs go with their owners and volunteer in settings such as schools, hospitals, and nursing homes. They ease emotional symptoms and improve the lives of other people.
Therapy dogs are not service dogs. Service dogs are specially trained to perform specific tasks to help a person who has a disability. Examples of service dogs are a dog who guides an owner who is blind, or a dog who assists someone with a physical disability. Therapy dogs do not have the same special access as service dogs in public places such as stores, planes, and restaurants.
For more information about the Healing Hounds program, please contact Meredith Stensland, PhD, by email.
The NOW Healing Hounds
Bishop
Golden Retriever
Therapy Registration: PAWS for Service
My Handler: Anne
Sex: Male
Birthday: January 13, 2014
Favorite Food: Cheese and peanut butter
Most Loved Toy: Tennis ball
Chrissy
Mini Australian Shepherd
Therapy Registration: PAWS for Service
My Handler: Alfred
Sex: Female
Age: 6 years old
Favorite Food: Jerky
Most Loved Toy: Tennis ball
Katie
Mini Australian Shepherd
Therapy Registration: PAWS for Service
My Handler: Mary
Sex: Female
Birthday: October 18, 2014
Favorite Food: Everything!
Most Loved Toy: Tennis ball
Lady AnnaBella
Shih Tzu
Therapy Registration: Therapy Animals of San Antonio
My Handler: Sandra
Sex: Female
Birthday: May 9, 2019
Favorite Food: Bacon treats
Most Loved Toy: Stuffed cat
Miles
Cavalier King Charles Spaniel
Therapy Registration: Therapy Animals of San Antonio
My Handler: Barbara
Sex: Male
Age: 11 years old
Favorite Food: Chicken
Most Loved Toy: I pick treats over toys!
Nike
Rhodesian Ridgeback
Therapy Registration: PAWS for Service
My Handler: Jan
Sex: Female
Birthday: April 23, 2015
Favorite Food: People food
Most Loved Toy: Squeaky and crunchy toys
Onyx
Great Pyrenees/Anatolian Shepherd mix
Therapy Registration: PAWS for Service
My Handler: Bobby
Sex: Female
Age: 2.5 years old
Favorite Food: Peanut butter and carrots
Most Loved Toy: Rope toys
Roscoe
Basset Hound mix
Therapy Registration: Therapy Animals of San Antonio
My Handler: SuEarl
Sex: Male
Age: 11 years old
Favorite Food: Anything you will eat!
Most Loved Toy: Humans
Sheriff
Sheepadoodle
Therapy Registration: PAWS for Service
My Handler: Leisa
Sex: Male
Birthday: March 3, 2021
Favorite Food: Cucumbers!
Most Loved Toy: Gumby
Storm
Great Dane/Mastiff mix
Therapy Registration: PAWS for Service
My Handler: Denise
Sex: Male
Birthday: October 5, 2019
Favorite Food: Anything!
Most Loved Toy: Squeaky remote controller toy
Thank you to our community partners, Therapy Animals of San Antonio, Inc., and PAWS for Service! Both organizations are recognized as therapy dog organizations by the American Kennel Club.
If you are a dog handler with a registered therapy dog and are interested in making visits to the NOW clinic, please contact us!