Puppy Love

At UCSF Benioff Children’s Hospital, a golden retriever-Labrador mix with a loving face and her devoted handler stroll the halls. As they pass by, heads turn, eyes brighten, smiles spread across faces. “It’s Ahbi!” a child calls out. The dog goes to her, and the girl’s eyes sparkle. She wraps her arms around Ahbi’s neck, and the two share a long, tender hug.

Kids, parents, nurses, physicians – everyone agrees that UCSF Benioff Children’s Hospitals’ donor-funded facility dog program is among its most powerful resources. Animal-assisted therapy provides measurable improvements in blood pressure and cardiovascular health, increased endorphin release, and many emotional and mental health benefits – including for families and staff.

What sets our facility dog program apart is its significant therapeutic value for our patients. These highly trained dogs are partnered with professional handlers – in our case credentialed child life specialists – trained to help children and families navigate illness, injury, disability, trauma, or hospitalization. Handler and dog collaborate at the highest level to build therapeutic relationships with patients and meet each child’s medical needs.

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