Meet The Furry Friends Giving Patients Love & Support At St. Jude

I am an animal lover and I'm convinced that my dogs know how I'm feeling at all times. Then I imagine I am a kid and I'm in a strange place fighting for my life because I have cancer. What can help with the worries these St. Jude patients have? It's therapy dogs and they are amazing at their jobs.

The Paws at Play program at St. Jude Children's Research Hospital plays a very important part in helping families cope with their child's diagnosis. They are trained as service dogs that distract patients from their symptoms, illness, pain, and anxiety. They are there to motivate and support too with social interaction.

Rosalie

Rosalie joined St. Jude in September 2021. She is a full-time hospital employee in the Staff Resilience Center. She received more than 18 months of training before starting her role at St. Jude. Her handlers also received special training to work with her in the hospital. She is primarily used to help the staff feel less stress and burnout.

Chocolate Chip (CC)

Snuggle

Snuggle and Chocolate Chip (CC) joined St. Jude in April 2022. The dogs work with each of their primary and secondary handlers to help meet clinical needs for child life and psychology intervention throughout the hospital. They offer love and "snuggles" when the kids need them.

Rose is the newest member of St. Jude's Paws program. She graduated from her training program and became a therapy dog in May of 2024. She is named after the character Rose Nyland from The Golden Girls TV show because she is loving, affectionate, and sweet.

Become a Partner in Hope. Your donation funds these much-needed programs to assist in helping kids get through their cancer treatments. Please donate to St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, no family ever receives a bill for travel, treatment, food, or lodging. Donations from our 20th Annual Country Cares For St. Jude Kids Radiothon go directly to St. Jude so that they can continue to focus on curing childhood cancer.

Please become a Partner in Hope. Your $19 monthly donation (on your credit or debit card) helps continue the fight. You will also receive a "This Shirt Saves Lives" T-shirt and sweatshirt.