Hartford Hospital Pet Therapy Program

Pet Therapy Volunteers, together with their certified therapy dogs, brighten the days of hospitalized adults, children, families, and staff.

Their visits offer a welcome break from hospital routines and create meaningful moments of connection.

Have you interacted with a pet therapy team? We would like to know how this may have impacted you and hear your thoughts about our amazing dogs!
 

Take the Pet Therapy Survey
For more information, questions, or to get involved, contact Howell Gallagher, Pet Therapy Program Manager, at 860.972.2431.

How to Apply

Application Requirements

To join our Pet Therapy Program, you and your dog must meet the following:

  • Owner must be 18 years or older
  • Dog and owner must have current pet therapy certification — See our list of approved organizations › 
  • Able to commit to at least two visits per month following hospital training
  • Must provide annual veterinary documentation including:
    • Wellness exam
    • Fecal and heartworm check
    • Rabies and DHPP (distemper, hepatitis, parvovirus, parainfluenza) vaccinations

Ready to share your dog’s love and make a difference?

Please complete both application forms to get started:

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Where Our Teams Volunteer

Pet Therapy teams visit a variety of settings based on their comfort level, interests, and availability:

  • Cancer Centers in Avon, Hartford, and Manchester
  • Welcome Wagger — greeting visitors in the main hospital lobby
  • Inpatient visits at Hartford Hospital and the Institute of Living, including geriatric, adult, adolescent, and children’s units
  • The Grace S. Webb School in Avon and Hartford — Visit The Webb School Programs ›
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Pet Therapy Simulations 

Not sure if volunteering at the hospital is right for you and your dog? 

Join us for a Pet Therapy Simulation! Held in our Center for Education, Simulation and Innovation on the Hartford Hospital campus this experience lets you and your dog learn about the environments and situations pet therapy teams encounter in our program without actually being in a patient care area. 

Pet Therapy certification is not required for this opportunity. Documentation of current veterinary records and obedience training such a Canine Good citizen is necessary. 

For more information contact Howell Gallagher, Pet Therapy Program Manager, at howell.gallagher@hhchealth.org or 860.972.2431.

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Celebrating 30 Years of Pet Therapy

Pet Therapy NewsletterCelebrating 30 Years of Pet Therapy

For three decades, our Pet Therapy program has brought comfort, connection, and moments of joy to patients, families, and staff. Read our special anniversary newsletter highlighting the people, pets, and milestones that have shaped this remarkable journey.

Download the Newsletter

Hartford Hospital Celebrates 30 Years of Pet Therapy and a generous grant for the future from the Robert R. Rosenheim Foundation 

30 years ago oncologist Dr. Robert Martin inspired the beginning of the Hartford Hospital Pet Therapy program. He and his dog Abby demonstrated the positive impact of pet therapy through their interactions with patients, visitors and staff. Thirty years, and thousands of visits later, pet therapy is still touching the lives of many at Hartford Hospital. Recognizing the power of these interactions, the Robert R. Rosenheim Foundation has made an investment of $660,000 to the Pet Therapy program. This donation will allow us to expand our teams throughout the hospital and provide even greater support to the students at the Grace S. Webb School at the Institute of Living.

We are grateful to the Robert R. Rosenheim Foundation, Cheryl Ficara, RN, MS, NEA-BC, President of Hartford Hospital and the Hartford Region, and Lynn Rossini, Vice President of Philanthropy at Hartford Hospital & Charlotte Hungerford Hospital for their commitment to enhancing the healthcare experience for all through pet therapy. Most importantly we are grateful to our pet therapy volunteers who share their time, compassion, and incredible dogs with our patients, families, and staff. Your visits brighten days, ease anxiety, and bring comfort and healing to everyone you meet. 

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Pet Therapy Trainers

Trainer Name Location Email
Kara Kulpa   Bloomfield pawsupdt@gmail.com
Sean Shoemaker   Colchester pawfessionalk9training@gmail.com
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Pet Therapy Certification

For more information pet therapy certification, visit these websites:

Organization Name

Location

Website
Alliance of Therapy Dogs Nationwide www.therapydogs.com
Bright Spot  Leeds, MA bright-spot.org
Cold Noses Warm Hearts Coventry, CT coldnoseswarmhearts.org
Faithful Friends Therapy Dogs Ellington, CT 06029 www.faithfulfriendstd.org/services
Heart of Gold Canine Watertown, CT www.heartofgoldcanine.com/therapydog
Paws 'N Effect Hamden, CT www.pawsneffect.com/therapy-dog
Pet Partners Nationwide petpartners.org
Tails -U-Win Manchester, CT www.tailsuwin.com/therapy-dog-classes
Centre Stage Dog Training Glastonbury, CT centrestagedogtraining.com
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Support the Pet Therapy Program

In honor of their beloved dog Rory, a longtime volunteer and her husband created a fund to ensure a bright future for Hartford Hospital’s Pet Therapy Program.

Their generosity helps sustain this special work for years to come. If you’d like to support our program, click here for more information or contact:

Howell Gallagher 
Pet Therapy Program Manager 
howell.gallagher@hhchealth.org
860.972.2431

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