Pet Therapy Program at Sky Ridge
Under the leadership of Carolyn Shovlowsky and her dog Rockie (right), Sky Ridge has had an Animal-Assisted therapy program since the summer of 2008. Sky Ridge Medical Center is one of the largest animal-assisted therapy program in the metro area with 13 dogs and 11 handlers, visiting more than 150 patients, families and employees every week.
All of our handlers are volunteers and enjoy helping patients through their love of canines. The teams are evaluated and registered by Pet Partners, and due to its high quality, need to be re-evaluated every two years. Enjoy browsing through the pet profiles below to become more familiar with our K-9 Team!
Pet Profiles
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Aksel was adopted in February of 2010, during the winter Olympic Games. He was named for Aksel Lund Svidal, the downhill skier from Norway who won the gold medal. It was obvious that Aksel would be a good therapy dog because he absolutely loves people and has a great personality. Aksel has been visiting Sky Ridge for little over a year. He loves going to all the different floors when we visit. He especially loves to keep the kids who are visiting patients. When not visiting Sky Ridge, Aksel loves to play ball, do tricks and go for walks. He is obsessed with playing catch – he could play fetch forever! |
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Chester is a big huggable six year old English Lab who is often mistaken for a Lab-Newfoundland or other large breed mix. He's purebred and pure mush. He loves everyone and has been working as a therapy dog for 4 years. Chester likes to hunt for his plush toys and bring them to his owners. His favorite toy is his Busy Bee. He's also in charge of retrieving the newspaper. But his favorite activity by far is sleeping on the couch after a long walk on the trail. He's also an excellent swimmer. |
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Jackson is our silver miniature poodle who has been part of the program for a year. Jackson is a five year old rescue dog, who was abused as a puppy, and had to have his left rear leg amputated as a result. He enjoys long walks and playing with the therapy dog, Jesse. Jackson loves seeing everyone at the hospital, but our staff holds a special place in his heart. |
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Jamie is four years old and has been enjoying pet therapy for almost two years. She loves playing with her friends at doggy daycare and being with her family at home. She has a duck toy fetish and particularly likes ones that make loud and obnoxious noises. She enjoys visiting everyone in the hospital! |
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Jelly is an eight year old golden retriever who has been part of animal-assisted therapy for three years. He got his name because he is sweet like jelly and is frequently called “an angel” while at Sky Ridge! Jelly enjoys going on hikes and lying across his owners’ laps. Jelly loves his time with patients and staff, and anyone who gives him attention. |
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Jesse is the newest addition to our pet therapy program, working here since May 2011. Jesse is a Maltipoo (Maltese/Poodle mix) and is two years old. He enjoys looking out the window and checking for squirrels to chase up the trees. Jesse is still figuring out what hospital visits are about, but is getting comfortable with the patients and our staff. |
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Meg is five years old and has been assisting patients since the summer of 2009. She usually visits patients on the fourth and sixth floors of the hospital. Meg got her name from the soccer term "nutmeg" and that’s why she wears a soccer ball collar. She enjoys talking long walks and chewing on her toys. Of course, the occasionally belly rub isn't too bad either. |
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Moser is a 2 1/2 yr. old Duck Tolling Retriever who has been volunteering for a year and a half as a pet partner. His calm demeanor and cute pink nose make him a sweet friend to brighten many staff and patients' day. Moser knows lots of tricks and loves to wave "hello" as well as compete in agility trials. His favorite activities are lounging on the deck and swimming in the Summer. |
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Oscar is a golden-lab cross who career changed from Guide Dogs for the Blind at 15 months of age due to immature cataracts. As his puppy raiser, I was able to bring him back home to become my second therapy dog partner. Due to his service dog status, Oscar has been working since he was a tiny puppy. He is mellow, gentle and intuitive, a people magnet who has the ability to bring an air of calm wherever he goes. Napping is his specialty although now that he is a "normal" dog, he is learning to enjoy previously forbidden games such as fetch. |
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Penny is an eight year old Labrador retriever who has been doing pet therapy for seven months. She was adopted from a lab rescue organization when the family who raised her from a puppy could no longer keep her. She enjoys playing ball and running in the field behind our house. She loves visiting the patients and staff at Sky Ridge. |
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Rockie is a seven year old golden retriever who has been doing pet therapy for four years. Rockie enjoys sleeping, but is up for a long work or play time when tempted. Rockie adores everyone but her favorite visits are always the ones when she gets attention from children, including infants. Rockie loves working at Sky Ridge and is the dog who helped start the program with her handler. |
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Snickers is a three and a half year old black labradoodle and has been part of the program for two years. Snickers may appear calm and mellow, but he does get his bursts of energy when his favorite toys turn up. He will visit any area of the hospital and loves getting a glass of ice as a reward when visits are over. |
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U2 began visiting Sky Ridge in October 2010 and will soon be four years old. Her name was inspired by her owner’s favorite band. U2 spends her down time taking walks and chasing away the rabbits and squirrels. You will usually see U2 on the third, fourth and fifth floors of the hospital. |
