“Before the pandemic started, Cleveland Clinic had about 175 teams in U.S. hospitals, but now that number has dropped dramatically to about 60 teams”
CANTON, Ohio — Throughout the pandemic, you've likely heard about supply chain issues and shortages in restaurants, stores and other businesses.Cleveland Clinic is currently looking for certified therapy dog/handler teams to visit multiple hospitals as part of Caring Canines program. There is program in place to get the canines certified as therapy dogs, hospital officials said.
Before the pandemic started, Cleveland Clinic had about 175 teams in U.S. hospitals, but now that number has dropped dramatically to about 60 teams because many of dogs and their owners haven't returned. Rich and Ritchie returned to the hospital about five weeks ago and the team visits patients and staff members in the ICU every Wednesday.
Rich said he hopes the attention to the shortage encourages others to bring therapy dogs to hospitals or get them trained.Click here for more information on volunteering for Caring Canines and other programs.