#IamMGH Pet Therapy – Meet Christine MacLean and Tilley

#IamMGH tells the stories of our people. In this special edition, we’re highlighting the volunteers and pet therapy dogs who support the St. John Ambulance Therapy Dog Program. Meet Christine MacLean, Volunteer and Pet Therapy Dog Handler, and Tilley, a Jack Russel Terrier and Pet Therapy Dog, at Michael Garron Hospital (MGH). 

“Tilley and I were at the dog park one afternoon when a colleague of mine, John Harper, suggested I bring Tilley in for an evaluation to join the St. John Ambulance’s Therapy Dog Program. John and his dog, Pablo, volunteer with the program. When I got home later that day, I thought about what John said and decided to move forward with the process. 

Tilley and I have been volunteering at Michael Garron Hospital (MGH) since March 2023. Together, we visit patients in Complex Continuing Care who are receiving this type of care, including palliative care. Seeing the way their faces light up when Tilley snuggles up next to them is quite remarkable.  

Despite being only three years old and a Jack Russell Terrier, Tilley is very calm. Her empathetic demeanor helps her sniff out which patients need her love and cuddles. Being a small dog works to her advantage. She can snuggle her 10-pound body right up next to patients without causing them any discomfort.  

In our free time, Tilley joins me at work and even comes to my choir practice. Although Tilley can’t sing, she enjoys the music. To unwind, we go for long walks along the beach and visit her friends at the dog park. It’s important to ensure pet therapy dogs have downtime because, like humans, they need balance.  

Pet therapy dogs are different from service dogs because these dogs are our pets. Service dogs are typically trained to support people living with visible and invisible disabilities. For example, a service dog may support someone that is living with diabetes or a visual impairment.  

Being able to provide patients with Tilley’s comfort has made a positive impact on many lives – including mine and Tilley’s. We look forward to continuing our visits at MGH.”