When a fluffy Pomeranian named Alice paid a two-hour visit to the Gustave L. and Janet W. Levy Library in November, more than 60 Mount Sinai Health System students, faculty, and staff visited her for a quick dose of canine affection.
In fact, Alice’s visit was so successful that the Levy Library plans to begin hosting visits from certified therapy dogs on the first Tuesday of each month starting in February, giving students, faculty, and staff the opportunity to unwind and relieve stress during lunchtime.
“I know how intensely medical students have to study, and I know that a lot of academic libraries have used therapy dogs to reduce stress. I figured, why not give it a shot,” says Robin Milford, MLIS, Public Services Manager, Levy Library.
Alice was certified by Therapy Dogs International, a volunteer organization that brings regulated, tested, and registered dogs to nursing homes, hospitals, and other institutions to provide affection and comfort to patients.
Therapy dogs have been used to help patients of all ages throughout the Mount Sinai Health System, including The Martha Stewart Center for Living and the Child Behavioral Health and Science Center. A recent study by researchers at Mount Sinai Beth Israel found that patients undergoing intense chemotherapy and radiation therapy received an emotional lift from therapy dogs.
Third-year medical student Anthony Chang was on hand when Alice paid a visit to the Levy Library. “Playing with Alice was a fantastic break from the hospital,” he says. “It made my day.”