Everyone thinks they have the BEST dog. If you have a pup, you know exactly what I mean. I just have to brag on my own for a minute!

Meet Luna! She is a 3 year-old black goldendoodle (50% golden retriever, 50% poodle) and the light of my life! Luna enjoys tennis balls, cookies, and swimming in the pool. She is either a couch potato or acting like a wild woman– there is no in between. She also has the longest eyelashes I’ve ever seen. But of all of the wonderful things about Luna, I am most proud to call her a certified therapy dog.

Luna earned her therapy dog certification through the Alliance of Therapy Dogs. She underwent training with my mom Karen (who is basically a dog whisperer) to pass a series of tests of temperament and discipline. This qualified her to work alongside my mom doing therapy visits at children’s hospitals, the VA, nursing homes, and even college campuses. Luna is an expert at cuddling and definitely takes her work seriously!

Luna’s favorite place to visit is our local children’s hospital (who also happens to be my employer) Johns Hopkins All Children’s Hospital. She and my mom visit inpatient kids throughout the hospital twice a month. They typically visit the oncology/hematology, infusion, neurosurgery, pre-op units. Luna goes from room-to-room letting the kids pet her and give her treats. She’s even allowed to jump in bed with them! The children and parents always remark at how pet therapy is the highlight of their hospital visits. It’s a motivation and something to look forward to on their road to recovery. Even the doctors steal some puppy affection. It makes everyone feel better.

Although my mom is Luna’s partner during therapy visits, I still get to see her every time they’re at the hospital. The three of us eat lunch together in the cafeteria and, no matter how frazzled I am from a busy day at work, seeing my sweet pup makes make feel better, too. It makes my heart so happy that Luna can be such a blessing to others just by being herself. I am proud to call her my dog!

Here’s an article our children’s hospital wrote on Luna’s role as a therapy dog!