Animal-Assisted Therapy

A visit from a furry friend can brighten a hospital visit and support healing through stress relief and comfort. At MU Health Care, animal-assisted therapy visits come from trained companion dogs, our staff and volunteers.

Helping people heal is a team effort that includes our therapy dogs and trainers. MU Health Care offers visits from two full-time facility dogs as well as volunteer dogs through our WAGS program.

Link, our Children’s Hospital facility dog, and Blaze, our Children’s Therapy Center facility dog, bring emotional support for children who may be confused or uncomfortable in a hospital. Trained at Duo in St. Louis, Link and Blaze visit patients older than 2 with their trainers daily.

Our WAGS therapy dogs visit patients, staff and guests to bring more smiles and joy to our hospitals and clinics.

What Is Animal-Assisted Therapy?

Medical visits can be challenging, especially for kids when they don’t fully understand what’s happening. Our facility and therapy dogs bring play, distraction and comfort to help kids process their experiences. Therapeutic visits from furry friends can also help adults relax, remind them of home and process their hospital stay.

Therapy dogs are carefully selected for their calm nature and are trained to work in health care settings. Our goal is to help patients feel safe and comfortable with their care team and treatment plan.

At MU Health Care, we offer two kinds of animal-assisted therapy.

Animal-Assisted Therapy at MU Health Care

Facility Dogs

Facility dogs Link and Blaze are full-time therapy dogs who live with their handlers and work in our Children’s Hospital and Children’s Therapy Center. Duo dogs go through at least two years of training to be with kids during treatment.

Link and Blaze are part of our Child Life Program and help kids feel like kids even when they are sick and in the hospital. Visits are scheduled ahead of time for patients who ask and have treatment goals Blaze or Link can help with, either in patient rooms or during treatments like physical and occupational therapy.

Volunteer WAGS Dogs

Volunteer WAGS therapy dogs visit patients, staff and families in their rooms and in welcome and common areas. Wags dogs are trained and registered through organizations that evaluate their behavior, such as:

After dogs complete training, they and their human volunteers pass health screenings. Visits are scheduled in advance, and child and adult patients are screened to make sure visits are clinically appropriate.

Each patient and family member uses hand sanitizer before and after touching therapy dogs, and our staff places a clean linen on beds or chairs to keep patient areas clean.

Link

Link is our Children’s Hospital facility dog. Trained for two years at Duo in St. Louis, he is a very friendly golden retriever.

You can often find him in the pediatric intensive care unit (PICU), Children’s Hospital therapy gym or walking the halls with his Child Life team.

Link loves working at Children’s Hospital, but when he goes home in the evening, he loves to run in circles in the backyard, play fetch and go for walks. His favorite treats are peanut butter and pumpkin.

Thank Link

Blaze

Blaze is our Children’s Therapy Center facility dog. He is a black lab and is Duo buddies with Link, where he was also trained.

When he’s on the job, Blaze loves walking with kids in the therapy gym, playing fetch with tennis balls and hide-and-seek. He is especially good at turning on adaptive toys during therapy.

Blaze’s favorite treats are peanut butter and snuggles. His care is generously supported by a gift from Gary and Missy Pinkel’s GP M.A.D.E Foundation.

Thank Blaze

WAGS Dogs

Our WAGS therapy dogs come in all shapes and sizes and have scheduled visits. Animal-assisted therapy at MU Health Care is made possible, and made stronger, by community support. If you are interested in contributing to support our animal-assisted therapy services, you can donate a gift. It will allow us to purchase training supplies needed to expand our program so we can serve as many patients as possible.

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Bella, Cockapoo

Bella is a snuggler who likes to sweeten you up before stealing your toys (and socks). She loves to chase her dog-sister Sophie around the house before spending the day snoozing on the couch. Her favorite snacks are carrots and ice cubes.

Thank Bella

Callie, Border Collie

Callie is a sweet, outgoing girl who loves making new friends and soliciting belly rubs. Callie’s favorite things are car rides, Starbucks pup cups, playing with her friends at dog daycare and her squeaky hedgehog toy.

Thank Callie

Chloe, Cockapoo

Chloe loves to be petted, but watch out – she loves to give kisses too. She loves playing fetch with her tennis ball, and her favorite toy is a blue stuffed monster. Chloe’s favorite treats are carrots, peanut butter and ice.

Thank Chloe

Ella, Golden Retriever

Ella is the social butterfly of therapy dogs - she LOVES everyone. he loves bootie scratches, belly rubs and having her paw held. Ella is always happy to greet friends at the door, usually with the closest stuffed animal she can find.

Thank Ella

Henley, Doberman Pinscher

Henley may be 75 pounds but he is confident that he is a lap dog! His favorite things include snuggles, string cheese, playing with his doggie brother and chewing sticks. His favorite tricks are “Hands Up”, “High Five” and “Bow”.

Thank Henley

Izzy, German Shepherd

Izzy is a sable-colored German shepherd with a loving personality and a calm, steady presence. Izzy expresses her affection in quiet ways, often with a watchful presence or a gentle lean that says you’re not alone.

Thank Izzy

Jasper, Lab-Border Collie/Aussie mix

Jasper overcame a rough start after being found abandoned on Hwy 54 with his brothers and sisters. Now he thrives on a farm, comforting hospital patients with belly rubs and welcoming every visitor—human or horse—at home.

Thank Jasper

Keylo, Husky Mix

Keylo, rescued from the Sedalia Animal Shelter, is part of Ann Gafke’s Teacher’s Pet Drill Team. High-energy, he loves snow, fetch, and chasing squirrels. Known for his blue eyes and serious look, his best tricks are shake, bow, and high-five.

Thank Keylo

Kiko, Siberian Husky Mix

Kiko is a spunky girl who loves to dance, do tricks, play with her two brothers, snuggle and get pets. She can perform some of her favorite tricks, such as bow, donut and rolling over. She loves to curl up and sleep under the covers.

Thank Kiko

Koro, Pomsky

Koro is a party dog who loves lots of pets (especially on his chest) and compliments. During his down time, he likes to watch over the neighborhood, play tag with other dogs at the park and sniff his kitty roommates.

Thank Koro

Lucy, German Shepherd

When Lucy was rescued by the Humane Society, she’d been wandering alone for two weeks, starving for food and love. Now she gives it back—long walks, guarding the yard, protecting her baby, and offering big, affectionate leans and scratch-loving cuddles.

Thank Lucy

Murphy, Shih Tzu

Murphy, born in Jefferson City in 2020, became a certified International Therapy Dog in 2023. Trained at MidMo Dog Training, he loves people, outdoor play, daily walks, and time with his two goldendoodle sisters—usually with a toy in his mouth.

Thank Murphy

Odie, Parson Russell Terrier

Odie was adopted through Puppies for Parole in Aug. 2025. He loves meeting people and playing fetch or tug-of-war. Smart and full of tricks, he’s always ready to show off. His best friend and big sister, Peanut, is also a therapy dog!

Thank Odie

Otis, Mountain Cur Mix

Otis is a courageous pup who loves fetch and playing with his siblings. He may drool when excited, but he’s got his own “drool rags” to help! Otis enjoys snuggles, going to school, learning new things, and making everyone smile.

Thank Otis

Peanut, 100% Good Girl

Part rat terrier, Jack Russell and a hint of border collie, Peanut is all personality. She’s a big fan of car rides, hide-and-seek and mild beef jerky, her favorite treat. Peanut is a sweet soul who loves spending time with people — especially kids!

Thank Peanut

Raina, Long-Haired Dachshund

Raina has been spreading smiles as a registered therapy dog since 2021. She loves belly rubs, kids, and (mostly) tolerating her pesky little sister, River. Her favorite toys are anything that makes a lot of noise.

Thank Raina

Ranger, Labrador Retriever

Ranger is a classic Labrador—happy, energetic, and always wagging. Once surrendered for being “too energetic,” he found his calling as a therapy dog. He loves fetch, horseback adventures, and meeting everyone—he’s never met a stranger, only friends.

Thank Ranger

Reuben, Jack Russell Terrier

Reuben is such a happy dog. He brings out smiles wherever he goes. Reuben comes into a room ready to entertain. Reuben loves to dance and do other tricks. He loves to have the base of his tail scratched and his belly rubbed.

Thank Reuben

Riff, Border Collie

Like most Border Collies, Riff is active, smart, loves to learn and needs a job—or multiple jobs. Riff has participated in several dog sports including Agility, Rally, Obedience, Tricks, and Barn Hunt. He loves making friends and never forgets them.

Thank Riff

River, Wire-Haired Dachshund

River has been a registered therapy dog since 2024. Her favorite activity is being a pesky little sibling to her sister, Raina. She loves getting pets and attention, and she’s a champion snuggler! Her favorite toy is her stuffed bunny.

Thank River

Ruby, Cockapoo

Ruby is a boisterous little girl who loves to climb, especially across the back of couches. She loves chasing her dog-sister Chloe and chewing on just about anything. Every day is an adventure for happy Ruby. She loves peanut butter and carrots.

Thank Ruby

Siri, Pembroke Welsh Corgi

Siri is a bundle of awesomeness who loves people of all ages. She’s a patient girl who regularly attends classes at Columbia Canine Sports Center and competes in many different dog sports. Her best attributes are her loving eyes and winning smile.

Thank Siri

Sophie, Cockapoo

Sophie is a sweet girl who enjoys belly rubs and climbing on the back of the couch. She loves kids, playing fetch and eating her favorite snacks: carrots and ice cubes.

Thank Sophie

Tehya, Berger Picard Shepherd

Tehya, being a herding breed, likes to watch and take in what is going on around her. Tehya has a great smile when she is relaxed and happy. A fast way to be friends with her is to have her smell your hand then pet her under the chin and neck area.

Thank Tehya

Tillie, Goldendoodle

Meet Tillie! Once destined for Hawaii, she found her true home at 8 weeks and became a therapy dog. Named for her dad’s grandmother, she loves car rides with her sister, Gabby, and has a gift for turning frowns into smiles wherever she goes.

Thank Tillie

Tillie Mae, Pomeranian

Tillie Mae is a 5-lb teacup Pomeranian who loves ear scratches, kisses, and attention. She and her mom match in pink style. She chirps and spins when excited, taps for love, and enjoys peanut butter, salmon treats, snow, and visiting friends.

Thank Tillie Mae

Whitley, German Shepherd

Whitley makes everyone feel loved. She began therapy training at 4 months and now brightens hospital visits. Off duty, she plays keep-away or hangs with her Morkie friend, Stella. She loves adventures, hiking, car rides, commercials, and pup cups.

Thank Whitley

Ziggy, Bernedoodle (Bernese Mountain Dog/Poodle)

Ziggy was born, bred and engineered for affection. Her favorite pastimes are “working a room” by going from person-to-person and exchanging love, then starting all over again giving high fives. She also loves playing with Lexi, her Aussiedoodle sister.

Thank Ziggy