Growing corps of therapy dogs brings special kind of healing to Sentara Northern Virginia Medical Center

In the bustling hallways of Sentara Northern Virginia Medical Center (SNVMC), healing doesn’t always arrive on a gurney or through a monitor. Sometimes, it pads quietly down the corridor on four paws, wearing a therapy vest, and carrying an extraordinary gift: comfort.

Sentara Northern Virginia Medical Center’s therapy dog program has grown into a cherished presence for patients, families, and team members. Over the course of the past year, the corps of therapy dogs serving SNVMC has grown from one to five.

This expansion comes at a time when national research underscores the measurable benefits of therapy animal programs. Studies show that therapy dog visits in hospitals can reduce patient anxiety an average of 34 percent. Therapy dog interactions with healthcare workers can nearly double positive mood, reducing emotional exhaustion and helping to mitigate burnout.

These specially trained canine volunteers – and their dedicated handlers – offer moments of calm, connection, and compassion in a setting often defined by urgency and emotion. Among them are Hope, Hayden, and Ellie, each bringing their own unique spirit to the hospital’s healing environment.

Hope: Guided by Instinct and Purpose

Hope, a 4½-year-old Aussiedoodle, has been volunteering at the hospital alongside her handler, Paula Miller, for nearly two years. Certified through the Alliance of Therapy Dogs, Hope’s calm demeanor and uncanny intuition make her a steady presence throughout the hospital – particularly in high-intensity areas like the Emergency Department and Intensive Care Unit (ICU) where they focus their visits.

“People ask if certain breeds are better for therapy work,” Paula says. “But it’s not about the breed – it’s about the dog.” While Hope passed rigorous testing with ease, her calling seemed evident long before certification.

Paula’s commitment to therapy work is deeply personal. During the COVID-19 pandemic, her husband was hospitalized in the ICU at SNVMC, where he ultimately passed away. Witnessing the emotional weight carried by ICU staff – who served not only as caregivers but as a vital connection for families – left a lasting impression.

“Volunteering here feels like paying it forward,” Paula says. “Supporting the people who supported me.”

Hope often takes the lead during visits, gently guiding Paula toward individuals who seem to need comfort most. On more than one occasion, Hope has instinctively sought out staff members experiencing moments of quiet distress, which can happen in the hectic environment of a hospital. Hope has also been drawn to rooms where patients were nearing the end of life, offering silent companionship.

“She knows,” Paula says. “Sometimes I joke that Hope isn’t a therapy dog – she’s an angel.”

Hayden: Small Dog, Big Heart

Three-year-old Hayden, a mini Bernadoodle, may not be one of the largest therapy dogs at the hospital, but his impact is huge. Volunteering for more than a year with his handler, Tanyia Davila, Hayden has become a familiar and beloved sight throughout the hospital.

Hospital President Jeff Joyner has long championed the healing power of therapy dogs, and Hayden is a shining example of that vision in action.

“Some therapy animals are better suited for schools or libraries,” Tanyia explains. “Hayden doesn’t like the library, but he loves the hospital. This place is his jam.”

From greeting staff in the hallways to offering comfort to families in the ICU, Hayden seems to understand exactly where he’s needed. Tanyia recalls families sitting on the floor with him, hugging him, and finding space to release overwhelming emotions.

Hayden’s intuition also extends to patients. During one visit, he stayed close to a patient recovering from an amputation, returning multiple times throughout the patient’s stay to offer calming companionship during a deeply vulnerable time of healing.

A “pandemic pup,” Hayden excelled in training, quickly achieving every training goal and earning the necessary Canine Good Citizen certifications. It’s clear to Tanyia that Hayden is right where he belongs. Beyond emotional support, Hayden is also trained to retrieve Tanyia’s EpiPen in an emergency – a testament to his intelligence and focus.

“In a place filled with alarms and urgency,” Tanyia says, “he brings something that can’t be prescribed – unconditional love.”

Ellie: A Weekly Moment of Calm

Ellie, a 2-year-old Rhodesian Ridgeback affectionately known as “Ellie Belly,” is one of the newest members of the therapy dog team. She and her handler, Sue Gladstone, have been volunteering since early 2025, visiting once a week to spend time with patients, families, and Sentara team members.

Sue, a semi-retired pediatric nurse, understands firsthand the stress that comes with a busy hospital environment. Ellie’s visits offer a welcome pause.

“The stress of a normal day in a hospital can always use a moment of calm,” Sue says. “Our goal is simply to put a smile on someone’s face.”

Recently, Ellie and Sue were passing the hospital’s Market Coffee Café, and a young woman spotted them and jumped up and went right to Ellie. In just a moment’s time, the two were bonding. The woman’s grandmother was at the hospital receiving hospice care, and her family had been on an exhausting vigil for a couple days. Ellie brought respite and a smile.

Ellie delights in meeting new people, soaking up affection, and – like many therapy dogs – earning the occasional treat. Staff members greet her like family, and her easygoing presence helps soften even the most demanding days.

A Program Rooted in Compassion

Together, Hope, Hayden, Ellie, and the other therapy dogs at SNVMC represent something deeply human: the need for connection. Their impact isn’t measured in charts or metrics, but in smiles, tears, and quiet moments of relief.

In a hospital defined by high stakes and critical care, these therapy dogs remind everyone – patients, visitors, and caregivers alike – that healing comes in many forms.

Sometimes, it comes on four paws.

Interested in Volunteering?

Sentara Northern Virginia Medical Center is always looking for compassionate volunteers – both two-legged and four-legged – to join our volunteer program. Certified therapy dog teams play a vital role in supporting patients, families, and staff by providing comfort, connection, and moments of calm throughout the hospital.

If you and your dog have a calm temperament, enjoy meeting new people, and are interested in making a meaningful difference, we encourage you to learn more about becoming a therapy dog volunteer. Handlers must work with a nationally recognized therapy dog organization and complete Sentara’s volunteer onboarding process.

To learn more about volunteering at Sentara Northern Virginia Medical Center, visit our website or contact the Volunteer Services Department to start the journey. Together, we can continue bringing healing, one paw at a time.