Gracie

Gracie is a frequent visitor at at Hollywood Presbyterian Medical Center. Since she literally loves everyone, she enjoys visiting with both the patients and the staff. From the moment she walks in the door, she wants to greet everybody, so she stops frequently, making sure that those who want to pet her get the opportunity to do so.

Some of Gracie’s most memorable visits have been with patients who were very ill. Whether she is visiting children in the Pediatric Intensive Care Unit or adult patients at HPMC, Gracie senses that very sick people need her the most. When given permission, she gently climbs into their beds and cuddles very close to them. She knows that her presence is making them feel better, and when it’s time to go, she doesn’t want to leave. She would gladly stay and continue comforting these patients as long as possible.

Sometimes a nurse or a relative of one of the patients will mention how much Gracie’s visits have meant. While it feels great to get positive feedback, Gracie and I visit because we love our “work”. I honestly think Gracie was born to be a Therapy Dog.