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FramePet Therapy StarsSimba

Name: Simba

Breed: Pembroke Welsh Corgi

Born: December 2009

Owner: Sharon Wilhelm

Interest & Hobbies: Making a difference in people’s lives!

Captain Teddy Bear

Name: Captain Teddy Bear

Breed: Pomeranian

Born: October, 2015

Owner: Garrett Towsley

Interests & Hobbies: Playing Fetch, Doing Tricks, and giving lots of kisses/snuggling.

Webster

Name: Webster

Breed: Greater Swiss Mountain Dog

Born: May 27, 2012

Owner: George Saxon

Interests & Hobbies: Eating, playing with his brothers and sisters, and being petted by everyone he meets.

Finnegan

Name: Finnegan

Breed: Golden Retriever

Born: July 20, 2015

Owner: Elizabeth Grady

Interests & Hobbies: Loves visiting people, swimming, playing at the park, sleeping on the bed and apples.

Mitzi

Name: Mitzi

Breed: Shih-Tzu

Born: July 21, 2008

Owner: Debi Atwell

Interests & Hobbies: Chasing lizards, playing with her sister, belly rubs, and walks around the neighborhood.

Kirby

Name: Kirby

Breed: Yorkshire Terrier

Born: October 11, 2004

Owner: Barbara Bartlett

Interests & Hobbies: Coming to the hospital to give lots of Pet Therapy to everybody.

Sherman

Name: Sherman (The Tank)

Breed: Labrador Retriever

Born: October 6, 2013

Owner: Deborah Magliolo

Interests & Hobbies: Belly rubs and meeting new people.

Henry

Name: Henry

Breed: Golden Retriever

Born: Dec. 20, 2012

Owner: Elizabeth Grady

Interests & Hobbies: Loves all people, especially children. Playing with other dogs, going to the park, swimming and apples.

Henry

Name: Picard

Breed: Yellow Lab/Golden Retriever Mix

Born: September 30, 2015

Owner: Elaine Rhoda

Interests & Hobbies: Treats and long morning walks.

Parker

Name: Parker

Breed: Shih Tzu

Born: September 2008

Owner: Macie McGee

Interests & Hobbies: Socialize with people and other dogs.

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Name: Lily

Breed: Cavachon

Born: January 27, 2017

Owner: John & Susan Mimnaugh

Interests & Hobbies: Chasing lizards, running in the field and nestling in her Papa's arms.

Pet Therapy StarsFrame

 

Pet Therapy at SMH-Sarasota Campus

At Sarasota Memorial, we believe in the power of pet therapy.

Studies have long shown the invaluable role of animals in supporting healing. Research has shown that pet therapy can produce physiological and psychological benefits, including reduced blood pressure and stress, as well as help promote a positive outlook on life, better outcomes in the healing and rehabilitation process and improved socialization skills. 

Our pet therapy program has helped patients for more than 20 years. Pet therapists first began visiting patients in the hospital's inpatient rehabilitation unit in 1997 to help those recovering from complex conditions who might be in the hospital for several weeks. Since then, the program has continued to expand.

Pet therapy is currently available at the Sarasota Memorial Hospital-Sarasota Campus (Rehab, Pediatrics and Cancer Institute units), as well as the Sarasota Memorial Nursing and Rehabilitation Center off Clark Road.