Dog's name:  Betti Mae

Breed of dog:  Papillon

Sex of dog:  Female

Tricks dog can do:  Sit, speak, shake, high five, spin around, weave through legs, jump over handlers arms and legs, ring a bell, fetch a dog barbell, play dead, roll over, jump up on stool, stay,  down, sit pretty.  Betti has her AKC Intermediate Trick Dog Title and is currently working on her Advanced Title.

Favorite treat:  Raw carrots

Short Story about dog:  Betti Mae is a 4 year old Papillon. Betti weighs 17 pounds but this is large for the breed so her family affectionately refers to her as their “Beast”. Betti is full of energy and personality and is kept busy by attending classes in obedience, rally, nose work, agility and Barn Hunt.  On a daily basis Betti enjoys chasing the many squirrels, chipmunks, bunnies and the occasional stray cat in her backyard.  Betti also enjoys going on “sniff walks” every day with her mom.

Betti loves making her therapy dog visits with the staff and the kids.  She loves the attention and enjoys being petted and spending time with everyone.  Betti is a very happy dog who thinks that all people were put on this earth to pet her; and is happy to accommodate!

Dog's name: Boomer

Breed of dog: Golden Retriever 

Sex of dog: Male 

Tricks dog can do: Flip food from his nose to his mouth, wake-up his human brother on command, and run through your legs from behind. 

Favorite treat: Peanut butter 

Short Story about dog: Boomer is known as the puppy-whisperer and loves taking new puppy friends under his wing. He is the go-to dog for socializing and patiently teaches his charges how to play respectfully and beg for treats whenever possible. 

Year started in program: 2019 

Dog's name: Cooper

Breed of dog: Golden Retriever 

Sex of dog: Male 

Tricks dog can do: Sit, shake, be very cute and sweet

Favorite treat: Anything meat flavored. And watermelon. 

Short Story about dog: Two weeks after adopting Cooper, I had an allergy asthma attack and was sitting hunched on the floor trying to catch my breath. Copper slowly walked up to me and gently pressed his large head against my chest and stayed like that for 5 minutes until my breathing eased. That’s when I knew this sweet, loving dog would be a perfect therapy dog.

Year started in program: 2017 

Breed of dog: King Charles Cavalier Spaniel

Sex of dog: Male

Tricks dog can do: Sit, shake, lay down, sleeping dog, middle (comes between owner's legs and sits), spin, dance, lays down with treat and does not eat until commanded

Favorite treat: popcorn

Short Story about dog: We purchased Cooper when he was three months old. His birthday is October 1, 2021. He is a loving dog that loves being petted, loves people and loves doing tricks. He loves to travel in the car.  While he likes water, he does not like to swim!!

Year started in program: 2022

Dog's name: Eli

Breed of dog: Beagle

Sex of dog: Male 

Tricks dog can do: Walking backwards on two legs  

Favorite treat: Almost anything

Short Story about dog: Eli started his career at a young age. He has participated in a number of programs. His favorite activity has been as a dog for dentistry patients helping to calm young patients during their procedures.

Year started in program: 2012

Dog's name: Finnigan

Breed of dog: Poodle Mix

Sex of dog: Male 

Tricks dog can do: Finnigan is great at sitting, giving me his paw, rolling all the way over, staying in place even when a treat is out! 

Favorite treat: Bacon

Short Story about dog: Finnigan was a true rescue dog from a hoarding situation. We were lucky to find each other. He is my first dog and he taught me how truly wonderful a dog’s love can be. We love to visit hospitals, schools, and retirement homes. He likes to bump noses with folks!

Year started in program: 2018

Dog's name: Hawkeye 

Breed of dog: English Golden Retriever 

Sex of dog: Male 

Tricks dog can do: Spin

Favorite treat: Bacon, bacon, bacon

Short Story about dog: Hawkeye is the best at sensing the need of each patient. He is the best cuddler and can be so gentle around toddlers walking down the hall with IV poles. We've had so many, what I call “Ah-Ha” moments I can’t keep count. One that really stands out: we came to an eating disorder patient, crying with a tray full of used tissues. I asked if Hawkeye could come up in bed with her and she wrapped her arms around him for 15 to 20 minutes and did not let go while Hawkeye did his magic. I just knelt by her bed and we gave her all the time she needed.  When she finally let go, she looked at me and said you don’t know how bad I needed that with a beautiful smile. 

Year started in program: 2018

Breed of dog: Yorkie

Sex of dog: Female

Tricks dog can do: She can shake or give you her paw.

Favorite treat: MaroSnacks

Short Story about dog: Izzi is very loving and cuddly.  She has had 4 litters of puppies for a total of 16 puppies.  She was a very, good, conscientious mother.  Her first litter was born on 8-21-17.  We kept one of her daughters and named her Cleo.

Year started in program: 2023 

Dog's name: Kilo

Breed of dog: Bishon / Poodle Mix

Sex of dog: Male 

Tricks dog can do: Kilo is a ham. He can roll over and he can play fetch, but his favorite move is to “dance” on his hind legs. 

Favorite treat: Anything edible. I mean.. this dog LOVES food! 

Short Story about dog: Kilo LOVES to work with the kids in rehab. He’ll run around like an idiot to fetch balls that the kids throw and he loves to be petted as “his patients” work on their stretching and dexterity.

Year started in program: 2017 

Dog's name: Knox

Breed of dog: Great Dane

Sex of dog: Male 

Tricks dog can do: Shake & Touch (nose to palm)

Favorite treat: "Special Dinner" (chicken mixed in with his dog food)

Short Story about dog: Knox loves visiting patients! During one of our visits Knox heard an infant patient crying in their room so he walked us over to the door to investigate. The crying made him uneasy so he whimpered, which caught the patient's attention. The patient immediately stopped crying and began smiling and reaching for Knox, which made many of the nurses cry. It was a heartfelt moment! It is truly an honor to be able to watch Knox's gifts on display at CCHMC and to serve the most extraordinary patients, families, and staff members! 

Year started in program: 2019

Dog's name: Lucy

Breed of dog: Australian Labradoodle Mini 

Sex of dog: Female 

Tricks dog can do: Loves to fetch balls and frisbees 

Favorite treat: Itty bitty buddy biscuits 

Short Story about dog: Lucy is a diva and a ball addict. She loves to strut down the halls of Cincinnati Children's and listen to everyone oooh and ahhh over her. If you are playing pool in the activity room, she will join in (she does cheat). Lucy is one of the older dogs on the team, but nothing slows her down. 

Year started in program: 2011

Dog's name: Macy 

Breed of dog: Morkie

Sex of dog: Female 

Tricks dog can do: Sit, Down, Stay, Speak, and Talk by growling back responses

Favorite treat: Greenies and Mini Milkbones

Short Story about dog: Macy has been cast as Toto in 2 different performances of "The Wizard of Oz" with The Children’s Theater of Cincinnati and The Covedale Center for the Performing Arts. Macy started her therapy visits with adults but quickly demonstrated she prefers being with children of all ages.

Year started in program: 2017 

Dog's name: Margo

Breed of dog:  Shetland Sheepdog             

Sex of dog: Female

Tricks dog can do: Steal your heart and be your best friend

Favorite treat: Cheetos

Short Story about dog: Margo sat on the lap of the first pediatric patient given the Covid vaccine at CCHMC and loved to go to the vaccine clinics.  She’s also the mom of several therapy dogs elsewhere, and she was born in Canada. 

Year started in program:  2021

Dog's name: Olivia 

Breed of dog:  Aussiedoodle

Sex of dog: Female 

Tricks dog can do: Fetch, back, shake

Favorite treat:  Has never met a treat that wasn’t her favorite

Story about Olivia:  Olivia has had lots of obedience training, including remedial training.  Despite the training she is a very naughty dog.  Among the things she has stolen out of the kitchen/dining room…. Raw bacon, complete roast chicken, stick of butter, and even my son-in-law’s birthday cake.  Despite her quirky diet, she is a very loving dog.  

Year started in program: 2022

Dog's name: Penny Lane

Breed of dog: Labrador Retriever-Cattle dog mix

Sex of dog: Female 

Tricks dog can do: Jumps a 4 foot high fence to visit neighbors, and goes in their houses!

Favorite treat: Maple syrup coated sausage links

Short Story about dog: Penny is very social, and loves people! She competes in agility events, however she really prefers to visit all the people at the trial. When we walk into Cincinnati Children’s to volunteer, she is very excited and happy!

Year started in program: 2019

Dog's name: Pixie

Breed of dog: Unknown 

Sex of dog: Female 

Tricks dog can do: Walk on three legs

Favorite treat: Turkey 

Short Story about dog: Pixie lost a leg under mysterious circumstances around the age of one and has been without it for about 7 years. She can do just about everything without it. I have videos on my phone of Pixie running at a high rate of speed for those who underestimate her.

Year started in program: 2015 

Dog's name: Skipper

Breed of dog: Collie  

Sex of dog: Male 

Tricks dog can do: No tricks as he started life as a balance & brace service dog (tricks are discouraged)  

Favorite treat: Human food

Short Story about dog: Skipper loves cats, bunnies and people -- especially children. He was born in Oregon, where he was part of an Oregon State University lead program to develop one of the first genetically “perfect” collies. He has had extensive temperament testing and training including passing FEMA’s testing to be a disaster therapy dog.

Year started in program: 2019 

Breed of dog: Mixed

Sex of dog: Male

Tricks dog can do: Running to the closet when afraid. 

Favorite treat: Cheese

Short Story about dog: Animal Control caught the collarless Teddie with a catch pole somewhere near Dayton. A one-person rescue took him home and posted his picture online. She sent his new owner-to-be a video of him sweetly nuzzling her grandchildren, which sealed the deal. 

Year started in program: 2022