Good Samaritan Regional Medical Center welcomes therapy dog, Sammy, who has been brought onboard to comfort hospital staff.
Sam joined the Good Samaritan team from Project POOCH, a non-profit training program for shelter dogs. Youths incarcerated at MacLaren Youth Correctional Facility care for and train the dogs for adoption. At three months old, Sam was found by Project POOCH along the side of a road. He was covered in fleas and weighed only three pounds. Two youth took him in and cared for him, restoring him to full health. Three months later, Sam joined the Samaritan team.
“Sam has already provided compassion fatigue and burnout therapy to several of our employees,” said Bobbie O’Connell, director of nursing support services at Good Samaritan Regional Medical Center. “He is still young and getting used to all of the commotion of the different floors of the hospital, but is settling in well. He seems to be a perfect match for our staff and already has many fans.”
Sam’s adventures can be followed on Facebook @GoodSamHospital.