• Alternate Text
  • Loading

  • Valentine's Day Gift Guide
  • Health Observed
  • Crossword
  • Contests
  • Newsletters
  • e-Newspaper App
  • Longboat
    • News
    • Cops Corner
    • Real Estate
    • Business
    • Neighbors
    • Opinion
  • East County
    • News
    • Real Estate
    • Business
    • Neighbors
    • Schools
    • Sports
    • Opinion
  • Sarasota
    • News
    • Cops Corner
    • Real Estate
    • Business
    • Neighbors
    • Schools
    • Sports
    • Opinion
    • Siesta Key
  • Arts + Entertainment
    • Eat + Drink
    • Arts + Culture
    • Reviews
    • Things To Do
    • Black Tie
    • Spotlight Partners
  • Key Life
  • Galleries
  • More
    • Hurricane Season
    • Red Tide Map
    • Health Observed
    • Sand Bucket List
    • Calendar
    • Celebrations
    • Contests
    • Tributes
    • Submit a Celebration
    • Submit a Tribute
    • Public Notices
    • Classifieds
  • Longboat
    • Longboat
    • News
    • Cops Corner
    • Real Estate
    • Business
    • Neighbors
    • Opinion
  • East County
    • East County
    • News
    • Real Estate
    • Business
    • Neighbors
    • Schools
    • Sports
    • Opinion
  • Sarasota
    • Sarasota
    • News
    • Cops Corner
    • Real Estate
    • Business
    • Neighbors
    • Schools
    • Sports
    • Opinion
    • Siesta Key
  • Arts + Entertainment
    • Arts + Entertainment
    • Eat + Drink
    • Arts + Culture
    • Reviews
    • Things To Do
    • Black Tie
    • Spotlight Partners
  • Key Life
  • Galleries
  • More
    • More
    • Hurricane Season
    • Red Tide Map
    • Health Observed
    • Sand Bucket List
    • Calendar
    • Celebrations
    • Contests
    • Tributes
    • Submit a Celebration
    • Submit a Tribute
    • Public Notices
    • Classifieds
  • Valentine's Day Gift Guide
  • Health Observed
  • Crossword
  • Contests
  • Newsletters
  • e-Newspaper App

PHOTO GALLERY: Pet therapy at SMH (more photos)


  • By Rachel S. OHara
  • | 4:00 a.m. June 2, 2011
  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
  • Share
PHOTO GALLERY: Pet therapy at SMH (more photos)
Barb McRae gets a personal room visit and kisses from Kirby, 6 ½, Thursday, May 12 in the Oncology Unit at Sarasota Memorial Hospital.
Barb McRae gets a personal room visit and kisses from Kirby, 6 ½, Thursday, May 12 in the Oncology Unit at Sarasota Memorial Hospital.
...
...
Yolanda Vodila enjoys Parker’s company while she rests in her room Thursday, May 19 in the Comprehensive Rehabilitation Unit. Vodila has five dogs of her own at home and talked about how eager she was to get back to all of them.
Yolanda Vodila enjoys Parker’s company while she rests in her room Thursday, May 19 in the Comprehensive Rehabilitation Unit. Vodila has five dogs of her own at home and talked about how eager she was to get back to all of them.
Debra Harvey laughs and shakes Parker's paw before the therapy dogs leave the Comprehensive Rehabilitation Unit Thursday, May 19 at Sarasota Memorial Hospital.
Debra Harvey laughs and shakes Parker's paw before the therapy dogs leave the Comprehensive Rehabilitation Unit Thursday, May 19 at Sarasota Memorial Hospital.
Finnegan gives a big smile while she gets some scratches from Brian Bain.
Finnegan gives a big smile while she gets some scratches from Brian Bain.
...
...
...
...
Heidee Regan points at Kirby and smiles while her mom, Nicole, holds her up to see the dog Thursday, May 12 at Sarasota Memorial Hospital. Regan was unable to touch the dogs due to her condition and cried when the dogs left her doorway.
Heidee Regan points at Kirby and smiles while her mom, Nicole, holds her up to see the dog Thursday, May 12 at Sarasota Memorial Hospital. Regan was unable to touch the dogs due to her condition and cried when the dogs left her doorway.
Kirby makes his way down the empty hallway as the dogs head to their next rounds of visitation at Sarasota Memorial Hospital. The dogs visit three different units in their hour and a half time frame.
Kirby makes his way down the empty hallway as the dogs head to their next rounds of visitation at Sarasota Memorial Hospital. The dogs visit three different units in their hour and a half time frame.
The owners and the dogs get ready to get off the elevator inside Sarasota Memorial Hospital.
The owners and the dogs get ready to get off the elevator inside Sarasota Memorial Hospital.
"I've been waiting all day for this," says Bill Wilson as he holds Kirby up to his face in hopes of some kisses. The dogs make personal room visits to patients who are unable to leave their rooms.
Virginia Sanders gives a thumbs up to the camera while Finnegan rests on her lap.
Virginia Sanders gives a thumbs up to the camera while Finnegan rests on her lap.
Ginger gets attention from Marjorie Mackinnon and Charles Sholtis while visiting the Comprehensive Rebhabilitation floor.
Ginger gets attention from Marjorie Mackinnon and Charles Sholtis while visiting the Comprehensive Rebhabilitation floor.
Virginia Sanders enjoys having Kirby sit on her lap and cuddle up to her on her heart pillow while she visits the recreational room on the Comprehensive Rehabilitation floor Thursday, May 12 at Sarasota Memorial Hospital.
Virginia Sanders enjoys having Kirby sit on her lap and cuddle up to her on her heart pillow while she visits the recreational room on the Comprehensive Rehabilitation floor Thursday, May 12 at Sarasota Memorial Hospital.
Charles Sholtis scratches Ginger’s neck while he talks to Ginger’s mom, Vivian Birkner, in the recreational room on the Comprehensive Rehabilitation floor at Sarasota Memorial Hospital.
Charles Sholtis scratches Ginger’s neck while he talks to Ginger’s mom, Vivian Birkner, in the recreational room on the Comprehensive Rehabilitation floor at Sarasota Memorial Hospital.
Bruce Ellis holds Alie while he talks to other people in the Comprehensive Rehabilitation Unit Thursday, May 12 at Sarasota Memorial Hospital.
Bruce Ellis holds Alie while he talks to other people in the Comprehensive Rehabilitation Unit Thursday, May 12 at Sarasota Memorial Hospital.
The dogs and their owners enjoy some time catching up prior to the start of their shift at Sarasota Memorial Hospital.
The dogs and their owners enjoy some time catching up prior to the start of their shift at Sarasota Memorial Hospital.
Barbara Bartlett with Kirby, Gert Miller with Alie, Angie Pollack, Macie McGee with Parker, Emily Corwin, Elizabeth Bornstein and Mary Ellen Ryan with Finnegan. (Not pictured: Vivian Birkner and Ginger)
Barbara Bartlett with Kirby, Gert Miller with Alie, Angie Pollack, Macie McGee with Parker, Emily Corwin, Elizabeth Bornstein and Mary Ellen Ryan with Finnegan. (Not pictured: Vivian Birkner and Ginger)

 

Latest News

From left to right: Chris Vito, Penny Sellers, Dave Boone and Cathy Boone play a game of pickleball at the multipurpose Bayfront Park courts in Longboat Key Friday, Sept. 19.
  • February 9, 2026
New impact fee may replace land acquisition fees
Valor Commons in Manatee County is designed to include a resource center, memorials, walking trails and public event spaces.
  • February 9, 2026
Federal cash streams in for Manatee, Sarasota projects
Cyclist killed on Siesta Key
  • February 8, 2026
Cyclist killed on Siesta Key
Suncoast Waterkeepers regularly tests water quality at 12 sites in Sarasota Bay and its adjacent waters, including the Linley Street boat ramp on Longboat Key.
  • February 7, 2026
Sarasota, Manatee bayside beaches graded for water safety

Sponsored Health Content

Sponsored Content

The best of Your Observer, delivered directly to your inbox

Get the latest in news, sports, schools, arts and things to do in Sarasota, Siesta Key, Longboat Key and East County.

Sign Up

Latest in Neighbors

Sarasota nonprofit Casting For The Kids helps children with cancer and their families breathe a little easier.
  • February 6, 2026
Annual fishing tournament casts for a cause
Thomas Modly adjusts the flagpoles as the sun sets.
  • February 5, 2026
Patriots Pier in Siesta Key receives new flagpoles
Jennifer Rominiecki brought the living museum concept to Marie Selby Botanical Gardens when she was named president and CEO in 2015.
  • February 5, 2026
Botanical gardens' potential lured Rominiecki family to Sarasota
Perfectly in sync, Ski-A-Rees skiers Natalie Brannon, Debbie Brannon, Ella Walker and Steph Ouellette skim across Sarasota Bay, blending athleticism and grace.
  • February 5, 2026
From flips to ballet, Ski-A-Rees have done it all on the water since 1957
Sarah Firstenberger was named CEO of the Siesta Key Chamber of Commerce in June.
  • February 4, 2026
Siesta Key Chamber’s new leader takes the helm
Chamber launches summertime internship program
  • February 4, 2026
Chamber launches summertime internship program

App

Download the Your Observer app

Stay in the know with the latest local news. Any device, anytime, anywhere.

DOWNLOAD NOW

Contact

  • 1970 Main St.
  • Third Floor
  • Sarasota, FL 34236
  • Phone: 941-366-3468
  • FPN Verified

Extra, Extra!

  • Newsletters
  • App
  • Crossword
  • Contests

more

  • About Us
  • Contact Us
  • Classifieds
  • Advertise
  • Rack Locations
  • Jobs
  • Privacy Policy
  • Accessibility Options

sister sites

  • Business Observer
  • Jax Daily Record
  • Orange Observer
  • Accessibility Options
  • Copyright © 2026 Observer Media Group Inc., All Rights Reserved
Sign Up for Daily Headlines

A daily dose of news from Longboat Key, East County, Sarasota and Siesta Key.

Sign Up for In Case You Missed It

A Saturday dose of the week's top stories from Sarasota, Longboat Key and East County.


The Your Observer App is Here!

Get local news you can trust — now on your phone, tablet or laptop. Fast. Free. Easy to Use.
Stay informed, wherever you are.

Download Now