Jackie Craig, MPS, LCAT, with Moby
Jackie Craig, MPS, LCAT, a licensed creative arts therapist in the Child Life and Creative Arts Therapy Department, doesn’t have to say a word to bring comfort to patients and staff. That is because Jackie is the handler for Moby, a facility dog who has been an employee at the Mount Sinai Health System for two years. Not only does Moby help to normalize hospital life for patients and their families, he also is a source of support and renewal for hospital staff.
During the height of the COVID pandemic, there were no work-from-home days for Moby and Jackie. They were in the hospitals every day, even if it meant visits were virtual from the hallways, bringing smiles to weary staff on some of their most heart-wrenching shifts.
“A five-minute interaction with Moby can change someone’s day,” Jackie says. “I saw first-hand that when staff had an opportunity to pet and hug Moby, the atmosphere lifted. They were able to breathe.” Jackie is unequivocal when speaking about how important her role is to her. “My job means the world to me,” she says. “To be able to give back and meet the needs of staff is an invaluable position.”