Have you considered volunteering with your dog? We always have more requests for visits from patients than our dog/handler teams can provide. Teams must have successfully evaluated through Pet Partners to volunteer at UI Health Care. There is great information on the Pet Partners website about volunteering. You can also watch their Volunteering with Your Pet video and take their short, fun quiz to find out if you and your pet would make a great Pet Partners Therapy team!
Research shows that relationships with animals have a positive influence on health. Interacting with pets can lower blood pressure, reduce stress, decrease loneliness, and enhance feelings of well-being.
Interested in supporting patients and/or staff members by providing certified dog visits? Contact the Certified Dog Visit team: [email protected]
“…Played with a (therapy) dog that came around for the staff and patients, saw the impact it had and how everyone’s moods brightened” - Mia, Volunteer
Scroll down to see the Certified dogs currently visiting at UI Health Care!
Meet Our Four-legged Volunteers!
Annie
Handler: Peggy McIntire
Birthday: February 25th 2018
Breed: Goldendoodle
Fun Fact: Annie pretends to be asleep when she is getting petted so don’t stop!
Annie has been a Pet Partners therapy dog since 2019!
Murphy
Handler: Kelly O’Connell
Birthday: October 30th, 2017
Breed: Vizsla
Fun Fact: Murphy knows his commands in American Sign Language and loves some Cheerios. Murphy also loves being close to people!
Muphy has been a Pet Partners therapy dog since 2022!
Taw
Handler: Sherry Mattison
Birthday: January 27th 2020
Breed: Bernedoodle
Fun fact: Taw’s name is from a 1967 John Wayne movie called, “The War Wagon.” John Wayne’s character was Taw Jackson.
Taw has been a Pet Partners therapy dog since 2023!
Sam
Handler: Carol Steffensmeier
Birthday: June 16th 2017
Breed: English Doodle
Fun fact: Sam can fit three toys in his mouth and loves playing fetch!
Sam has been a Pet Partners therapy dog since 2022!
Ruthie
Handler: Rebecca Porter
Birthday: July 17th 2017
Breed: Golden Retriever
Fun fact: Ruthie does not like swimming, but she likes meeting new friends!
Ruthie has been a Pet Partners therapy dog since 2022!
Widget
Handler: Jean Reed
Birthday: September 1st, 2017
Breed: Pomeranian
Fun fact: Widget is very athletic and loves to fetch balls, go for walks, and play with her little sister Cheerio!
Widget has been a Pet Partners therapy dog since 2023!
Leroi Brown
Handler: Lily Westemeyer
Birthday: May 5, 2020
Breed: Chihuahua
Fun Fact: Leroi’s favorite spot in the winter is his bed next to the fireplace, and in the summer, he loves to suntan in the driveway
Leroi has been a Pet Partners therapy dog since 2023!
Zinnia
Handler: Leigh Becker
Birthday: March 9, 2021
Breed: Aussiedoodle
Fun fact: Zinnia likes to open the front door herself when she wants back inside
Zinnia has been a Pet Partners therapy dog since 2023!
Cheerio
Handler: Jean Reed
Birthday: December 16, 2023
Breed: Pomeranian
Fun fact: The bottom of Cheerio's left eye is blue, a harmless condition called heterochromia. And although Cheerio only weighs 7lbs she still bosses her big Sister Widget around!
Cheerio has been a Pet Partners therapy dog since 2025!
Maya
Handler: Jeff Knight
Birthday: 03/23/2023
Breed: Alaskan Malamute
Fun Fact: Maya overcame incredible challenges as a puppy, surviving serious health issues, making her a natural at therapy dog work. She loves meeting new people and has a special 'woo' she uses to greet her friends.
Maya has been a Pet Partners therapy dog since 2024
Dani
Handler: Shelly Gardner
Birthday: 7/4/14
Breed: Cattle Dog
Fun Fact: Dani is an amputee! She lost a toe in a farming accident as a puppy.
Dani has been a Pet Partners therapy dog since 2024.
Daisy
Handler: Carol Steffensmeier
Birthday: November 27, 2022
Breed: Englishdoodle
Fun fact: Daisy is very sweet and a quick learner!
Daisy has been a Pet Partners therapy dog since 2025!
