Facility dogs make the most pawsitive impact on pediatric patient care by supporting the work that I do as a child life specialist. Valentina, and other facility dogs like her, make the hospital an emotionally safer place for kids. She is able to model a calm and playful presence to kids when they need it the most. Valentina is a fluffy shoulder to cry on, a paw to hold, or a back to lean on when taking those scary first few steps after surgery. She helps to prepare kids for the unknown by showing them what to do and supports them during the tough times such as getting difficult news or facing a difficult procedure.

By supporting our Walk and Wag fundraiser, you are helping kids to do the really hard things with the help of a facility dog. Your donation helps to maintain and expand our facility dog program at UMass which is 100% donor funded through people like you!