Facility Dogs Deliver Valentine Cards Hospital‑Wide at Seattle Children’s Hospital

Updated 2026-02-13 03:17:26+00:00 (4 articles)

Valentine Card Delivery by Facility Dogs Two facility dogs, Nash and Scarlett, roamed Seattle Children’s Hospital delivering handwritten Valentine cards to patients throughout the facility days before February 14, continuing a holiday tradition that boosts morale [1].

Impact on Patients and Families Child Oliver Anderson laughed while opening his card, describing it as funny; his mother said the dogs “lift spirits” for families facing surgeries and long stays, while other parents reported similar emotional benefits [1].

Specialized Training Distinguishes Facility Dogs Handler Tyler Domingo explained that facility dogs complete eighteen months of specialized training for medical settings, mastering over forty skills such as assisting with procedures, making beds, opening doors, and providing weighted pressure, setting them apart from typical therapy dogs [1].

Canine Companions Integrates Dogs into Hospital Staff The nonprofit Canine Companions trains service dogs at no cost and embeds Nash and Scarlett into Seattle Children’s daily operations, allowing them to work alongside medical teams and earn gratitude from staff for the “daily smiles and loving energy” they provide [1].

Sources

1.
King5: Facility Dogs Deliver Valentine Cards at Seattle Children’s Hospital: Highlights the dogs’ Valentine‑card deliveries, patient reactions, extensive training, and the role of nonprofit Canine Companions in integrating the dogs into hospital staff .
2026-02-13 03:17:26+00:00

Timeline

1975 – Canine Companions is founded to train and place free, certified service dogs, a program that will grow to more than 8,000 placements by 2025, supporting over 2,700 active teams nationwide[4].

Fall 2019 – Heidi Carman and her golden retriever Kerith begin volunteering at a local hospital emergency department, where firefighters first request visits, planting the seed for a national therapy‑dog nonprofit[1].

August 2020 – Carman’s team expands visits to base camps during the California wildfires, demonstrating the value of canine support in disaster zones and prompting the creation of First Responder Therapy Dogs[1].

2020 – Service dog Kate is matched with stroke survivor Erika Brito in Renton, illustrating Canine Companions’ long‑term impact on recipient independence and recovery[4].

2021 – First Responder Therapy Dogs launches its certification program, eventually certifying more than 480 therapy‑dog teams across 46 states and delivering visits to over 150,000 first responders[1].

Oct 2025 – The nonprofit reports that its certified teams now operate in 46 states, providing low‑commitment stress relief after traumatic events and during routine shifts, with research showing short‑term dog interactions lower cortisol, blood pressure, and heart rate while raising oxytocin[1].

Nov 30 2025 – Canine Companions celebrates its 50th anniversary, places 325‑375 new service dogs annually, and launches a holiday‑season donation drive to sustain free placements for future recipients[4].

Dec 16 2025 – Four California‑trained rescue dogs and handlers are stationed at Pacific Raceways in Kent, Washington, ready to deploy within minutes for flood response; Search Team Manager Paul Januario says, “the dogs are constant, relentless, and never give up”[3].

Feb 13 2026 – Facility dogs Nash and Scarlett deliver handwritten Valentine cards hospital‑wide at Seattle Children’s Hospital, brightening patients’ days; handler Tyler Domingo remarks he is “on the other end of this leash,” emphasizing the dogs’ daily emotional support role[2].

Feb 2026 and beyond – Seattle Children’s Hospital plans to repeat the Valentine‑card delivery each February, cementing the tradition as an annual morale‑boosting program for patients and staff[2].