CONTACT:
Lauren Zaccardi Samman
201-383-1018
Lauren.zsamman@hackensackumcpv.com
For Immediate Release
HackensackUMC at Pascack Valley Offers Pet Therapy Program to Patients
Westwood, NJ – HackensackUMC at Pascack Valley is “barking” up the right tree with the recent
unveiling of the Pet Therapy Program. In conjunction with Therapy Dogs International, the Pet
Therapy program is offered to patients staying in the hospital to provide companionship and
more importantly alleviate the stress and anxiety associated with sickness.
Animals have long been recognized as a positive addition to the healing process. Visits from Therapy
Dogs have shown an increased happiness, calmness, and overall emotional well-being. The four-legged
volunteers visit patient rooms weekly and spend roughly five minutes in each room. The
friendly animals help deliver smiles to patients, families and even employees of the hospital and
their volunteer handlers often have conversations with patients about animals they may have
at home.
“Therapy dogs have many physical and emotional benefits for hospital patients, including
reduced blood pressure and stress,” said Chad Melton, CEO of HackensackUMC at Pascack
Valley. “Our goal is to create an environment where patients are as comfortable and happy as
possible. The new Pet Therapy Program helps us bring smiles to those who need it most during
their stay here at HackensackUMC at Pascack Valley.”
Therapy Dogs International is a volunteer organization dedicated to regulating, testing and
registration of therapy dogs and their volunteer handlers for the purpose of visiting nursing
homes, hospitals, other institutions and wherever else therapy dogs are needed.
-more-
Photo Caption: Therapy Dog Riley and her volunteer handler Judy visit with a patient at
HackensackUMC at Pascack Valley. Judy and Riley have been visiting hospitals and nursing
homes in Bergen County for over 4 years to help alleviate stress associated with illness.
About HackensackUMC at Pascack Valley
HackensackUMC at Pascack Valley is a 128-bed, full-service, acute-care community hospital,
providing the same nationally recognized quality care for which Hackensack University Medical
Center is known. The hospital features all private patient rooms at no additional cost, a stateof-the-art obstetrical unit, an intensive/critical care unit, five operating rooms, one special
procedure room. This inpatient hospital acts as an anchor to many in-demand, outpatient
services such as radiology, women's health and same-day surgery. For more, please visit
www.hackensackumcpv.com
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