SSM Health Greater Fond du Lac
July 30, 2026
From leash to love: the journey of SSM Health Pet Therapy volunteers
FOND DU LAC COUNTY — SSM Health pet therapy volunteers and their volunteer coordinators recently gathered at SSM Health St. Agnes Hospital to share their volunteer experiences and the benefits of pet therapy in health care. The group only needed to spend a few minutes together to agree that the benefits are far greater than we realize.
Wanting to give back to her community along with her best friend, Duke, volunteer Laura Kahl finds it very meaningful to see the joy that people get out of pet therapy “what surprised me most is how much staff appreciate seeing the dogs. Somedays, it is the people you meet coming out of the elevator who needed pet therapy the most.”
Volunteer Brian Lewis knew Noel was a special dog. Brian’s awareness of the need for pet therapy in healthcare led them to pursue their certification. During their visits, he sees how much love Noel gets and how much love she gives. “I love the way she interacts with the patients and the people. We have made someone’s obituary. That is just how special she is!”
SSM Health Pet Therapy volunteers agree that their dogs adapt well to the setting they volunteer at. Volunteers shared that their dogs sense the needs of those they visit and therefore make a profound impact.
For volunteer Julie Reindl pet therapy comes with multiple leashes. Nine years ago, she began her in hospice with Sasha. Today, she continues their work in the hospital settings with two of her three pet therapy dogs. They bring love and comfort to patients and staff in the Behavioral Health unit and Emergency Room.
Volunteer Liz Groehler realized Howie was obedient and wanted to go everywhere with her. Even though their current work was not their intended path, Howie has proven that he is meant to bring joy to multiple health care settings. You will find them at various SSM Health facilities along with their pet therapy friends Brian Curran and Elsa.
Being a regular visitor at SSM Health Ripon Community Hospital, Sister Sharon Jones and Saint pursued their certification to ensure they could also bring the benefits of pet therapy to our patients. With a smile on her voice, Sister shares, “At Ripon, he is known as ‘the mascot’ because he greets everyone that comes to the door. They love it! Sometimes, it is hard for me to get away.”
Pet therapy provides significant emotional support to patients, helps reduce anxiety, depression, and feelings of loneliness. Interaction with the animals also fosters a sense of companionship and comfort. Therapy animals can act as catalysts for conversation, improving communication skills and cognitive engagement, particularly in residents with dementia or other cognitive challenges.
Volunteer Brian’s message to others considering pet therapy in health care “If you have a good dog that can be trained as a therapy dog, you should do it. You will get more out of it than you think you will. You both will come home tired but also rested saying we did a good job today.”
SSM Health Volunteer Services and staff want to thank all our pet therapy teams, past and present, for the difference they make and all the love they bring to our facilities.
SSM Health is looking for more pet therapy volunteers in the Fond du Lac, Ripon, and Waupun service areas. To learn more about the SSM Health Volunteer Services program, contact Volunteer Services at 920-926-4895 (Hospital), 920-924-4662 (Hospice) or apply at GFDL – SSM Health Volunteer Application Form – SSM Health.
