Ronald McDonald House of New York, Inc.

Our Mission

Delta Society Pet Partners
Healing Power

We also provide

Support

Angel on a leash therapy dog program

Our Mission

Our mission is to improve health and the quality of life for children and their family members who are guests of the Ronald McDonald House of New York. We accomplish this by caring for the whole person in body, mind and spirit. Believing that many health-related issues have a direct connection with emotional and spiritual wellbeing, the Therapy Dog Program strives to alleviate some of the suffering our patients and their families experience when dealing with a life threatening illness. Certified therapy dogs from the Westminster Kennel Club’s Angel On A Leash program serve as valuable tools in this process, assisting pastoral caregivers, psychologists and qualified volunteers as we facilitate emotional, spiritual and physical healing by working together. A therapy dog can help in many ways: to motivate individuals in their physical therapy, bridge communication gaps with the medical and house staff, assist in crisis intervention, provide emotional and spiritual support for grief and loss, motivate students to learn and relieve stress for patients, family and staff alike. The program is also committed to community outreach through writing, public speaking and teaching in the field.

Chaplain Cherilyn Frei, M.S., M.A.
Director of Spiritual Care (212) 639-0195

Delta Society Pet Partners

Certified therapy dogs and their owner-handlers must pass a comprehensive evaluation and follow stringent healthcare guidelines. Their dogs are trained and certified to visit complex healthcare facilities such as hospitals, nursing homes and rehabilitation centers. Ronald McDonald House therapy dogs have many miles under their paws working in local healthcare institutions, serving their community by helping to make thousands of children and adults happier and healthier.

Visits with therapy dogs occur on a daily basis.
Therapy dog visits take place on the first floor in the lobby and chapel areas.
Visits also occur in the Spiritual Care office located on the first floor to the left of the mail boxes.

A Healing Presence

Surviving and living with a life threatening illness such as cancer requires working through emotional and spiritual issues. Trained therapy dogs are especially effective in helping to boost morale and social-spiritual wellbeing. This is true not only for patients, but also for their family members and other caregivers. The stress of caring for loved ones with cancer can be draining, yet caregivers and family members must be emotionally and spiritually whole in order to make a positive impact on the patient. Therapy dogs accomplish this by creating a diversion from the routine and adding spontaneity to daily care. Therapy dogs also serve as a conduit for communication, allowing others to voice needs and concerns of their own to a non-judgmental and loving presence. The healing presence of a therapy dog allows people to live in the present moment, to let go of past struggles or their fears of what the future may hold.

The Healing Power of Therapy Dogs

Therapeutic Touch: Petting a therapy dog releases beneficial hormones into the bloodstream known to be associated with healing and feelings of wellbeing.
Socialization: Pet owners experience increased social interaction which leads to a better sense of psychological wellbeing.
Blunt Pain: By initiating and maintaining the relaxation response, pets take people’s focus off of their pain and elevate their mood.
Mental Health: Patients who have pets are less depressed or anxious than those who do not own pets.
Empathy: Children who spend time with pets develop higher levels of empathy and learn responsibility.
Motivation and Learning: Therapy dogs stimulate learning and intellectual development.
Immunity: Therapy dogs can help boast the immune system of hospitalized patients.
Overall Health: Pet owners have shorter hospital stays, fewer doctor visits and don’t have as much trouble falling asleep at night.

“A faithful friend is the medicine of life and immortality.”
Ecclesiasticus 6:16

For more information on how to become an “Angel On A Leash” therapy dog team at the Ronald McDonald House of NY, Inc., please visit the following websites:

Delta Society

Westminster Kennel Club

ASPCA