Photos | Elmhurst Hospital introduces new facility therapy dog, Weasley II

Weasley II will be tasked with providing emotional support to patients as part of their care at the hospital, located at 79-01 Broadway in Elmhurst, through its PAWS to HEAL (Psychiatry Animal-Assisted Wellness Support to Help Ease All Loads) program. He will help deliver comfort, connection and joy to hospital patients, their families and staff members.

Working primarily with patients in the adult, adolescent and forensic inpatient behavioral health units, as well as select outpatient groups, Weasley II’s activities will focus mainly on emotional regulation, anxiety reduction, socialization, communication, self-esteem and patient engagement. The structured sessions with Weasley II may include mindfulness exercises, creative arts activities and opportunities for patients to interact with him. Additionally, this new furry friend will make occasional appearances through the hospital’s employee wellness center.

The non-profit Canine Companions trained Weasley II. This organization specializes in training facility dogs to work with professionals in healthcare and other settings. These dogs are trained to a higher standard than traditional therapy dogs.

Numerous doctors, nurses, staff members, hospital leadership and elected officials were on hand for the red-carpet arrival. Among them were NYC Health + Hospitals/Elmhurst CEO Alina Moran, NYC Health + Hospitals/Elmhurst Director of Creative Arts Therapy and Activity Therapy Michelle Helfman, NYC Health + Hospitals/Elmhurst Director of Psychology Dr. Angelica Terepka, who serves as Weasley II’s primary handler, and New York State Assemblymember Catalina Cruz.

“Weasley and our PAWS to HEAL program bring an innovative dimension to the high-quality behavioral health services we provide,” Moran said. “Hospital pet therapy dogs can bring tremendous joy to patients, offering comfort, connection, play and engagement as part of the healing process. I am incredibly proud of our Behavioral Health team for the creativity and dedication they have shown in developing this program and finding new ways to support mental health in our community.”

“The goal of animal-assisted therapy is to enhance the therapeutic environment and support patients in their recovery,” Helfman said. “Interactions with a trained facility dog can provide comfort, encourage positive social interaction and help patients participate more fully in treatment. We are delighted to welcome Weasley and expand a program we have been working toward for many years.”

“Weasley has a remarkable ability to connect with people,” Dr. Terepka said. “He often gravitates toward someone who needs comfort, resting his head on a patient’s lap or simply sitting quietly beside them. In behavioral health, healing is built on connection, and Weasley reminds us that compassion can take many forms.”

“Creating different ways to connect with the needs of people is something Elmhurst has always been fantastic at doing, and using animals for our therapy is one of those ways, Cruz said. “It was such a beautiful experience, not only to play with the doggy, but to see how welcome he is as part of our community. And I look forward to seeing how much he can connect with our neighbors.”

Following his walk down the red carpet, Weasley II fulfilled an Elmhurst Hospital tradition by stamping his first timecard, marking the start of his healing mission.

Dr. Terepka or Weasley II’s secondary handler, Erin Caroll, LCAT, will be present whenever the dog is working with patients. They are trained to monitor his behavior, comfort and level of engagement throughout the day.

Weasley II will be working four days a week, with group interactions running between 30 and 45 minutes. As Weasley II visits the various behavioral health units, he will also have designated rest periods between sessions.

At the end of Weasley II’s workday, he goes home with Dr. Terepka, where he can rest and play before his next workday.