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Dog Volunteers

About the Dog Volunteers

Children's Dog Visitation Program brings smiles to patients.

What are dogs doing in a "people" hospital?

You may see a few dogs during a visit at Children's Hospital Medical Center of Cincinnati. These volunteer dogs visit patients in the hospital.

Although you'll only see two dogs at a time, the Dog Visitation Program includes 42 volunteer dogs of all types, sizes, and breeds. These dogs make regularly scheduled visits. But they also make special visits. To request a special visit, please ask your parents to contact a nurse or a Children's Hospital Medical Center of Cincinnati Child Life specialist.

Meet the Dog Volunteers

Chelsea

  • Age: 9.5 years
  • Breed: Labrador mix
  • Gender: Female
  • Owner: Edith Markoff

Quick Facts

  • Chelsea was adopted from an animal shelter as a puppy.
  • Chelsea was one of the original dogs in the Children's Dog Visitation Program.
  • If you meet Chelsea, you'll notice that she sits on her tail in the hospital. She sits on her tail so it won't be run over by wheelchairs. She's a smart dog with experience!
  • Chelsea's favorite pastime, other than sitting on the couch, is to pull apart stuffed toys.
  • Her nickname is "Queenie" because at home she acts like the queen of the house.
Meet the dogs of the Children's Dog Visitation Program.

Arnold Schwartzenweiner (Arnie)

  • Age: 6.5 years
  • Breed: Mini Dachshund
  • Gender: Male
  • Owner: Marina

Quick Facts

  • Arnie is a face-licker. If you sit close to Arnie, he will give you a kiss.
  • Arnie makes most of his visits to the rehab unit.
  • At 12.5 pounds, Arnie is one of the smallest dogs in the program.
  • Arnie has been a part of the Dog Visitation Program for five years.

Eldon

  • Age: 8 years
  • Breed: Labrador-terrier mix
  • Gender: Male
  • Owner: Meryl Klein

Quick Facts

  • Eldon was found with his brother Jake on the streets of Philadelphia.
  • During a visit to the hospital, Eldon sits on a chair with wheels and is rolled around.
  • Eldon has been described as a "kissing fool," who "lives to lick." This is especially true if Eldon spots bare knees.
  • Although Eldon does not like to take baths, he'll jump right into the tub if he knows he's going to Children's Hospital Medical Center of Cincinnati on a visit.