Meet our first full-time canine caregiver, Valentina!

Valentina is specially trained to be a full-time animal assistant at UMass Memorial's Children’s Medical Center. 

Valentina provides goal-oriented and structured therapeutic interventions to normalize clinical environments, prepare children for their experience, and support children during difficult procedures and decrease pain and anxiety. She and Meghan, a certified child life specialist with a master’s degree in the field, team up for appointments where they are most needed. 

Our Animal Assisted Therapy program was initially made possible by a grant from the Dunkin’ Joy in Childhood Foundation and their Dogs for Joy Program but, is sustained through generous donors, like you!

You can help Valentina make kids feel better with a gift of any size.

* For instance, your gift of $38 could purchase a bag of her food to keep her nourished.

* Your contribution of $75 could help with her medical care to keep her in tip-top shape and feeling fine. 

Whatever you give, please know that you are helping a sick child feel better.

Thank you for bringing smiles and canine comfort to our youngest patients.