BELFAST — Waldo County General Hospital welcomes a furry new team member with the addition of Mr. Pips, the hospital’s newest pet therapy dog.

“Studies have shown that pet therapy has many benefits for patients, including decreasing stress and depression and lowering blood pressure,” said Jamie Geretz, director of volunteer services at Waldo and Pen Bay Medical Center, in a news release. “We’re grateful to our pet therapy volunteers for making it possible to offer this service to our patients.”

Mr. Pips is an eight-year-old Shih Tzu, Pomeranian and Miniature Pinscher mix and a trained pet therapy dog. In the past, he provided pet therapy at Camden Rockport High School, and according to his handler, Maya Robinson, he’s excited to be back at it.

“He was made for this,” Robinson said.

Mr. Pips and Robinson will also be making weekly visits, making pet therapy available twice a week for Waldo patients that want them. They are Waldo’s second pet therapy duo, joining Bramble, a five-year-old Leonberger, and his handler Marjorie, who have been visiting patients once a week since Sept. 2022. Pet therapy animals undergo special training where they learn to be calm, caring visitors. Their handlers volunteer their time, accompanying their pets as they visit with patients.

“A visit from a pet can provide a welcome distraction and sense of comfort for patients in the hospital,” said Geretz, adding that the visits can be just as beneficial to care team members and visitors who might be having a challenging day. “Pet therapy adds that little bright spot in someone’s day.”

Pet therapy is a volunteer service offered at both Waldo and Pen Bay. To learn more about volunteer services, visit: Volunteer | MaineHealth

Waldo County General Hospital is part of MaineHealth, a not-for-profit integrated health system consisting of eight local hospital systems, a comprehensive behavioral healthcare network, diagnostic services, home health agencies, and more than 1,600 employed and independent physicians working together through an Accountable Care Organization. With more than 19,000 employees, MaineHealth is the largest health system in northern New England and provides preventive care, diagnosis and treatment to 1.1 million residents in Maine and New Hampshire. For more information, please visit wcgh.org.