Therapy dogs raise awareness on National Wear Red Day for heart health.
AdventHealth deployed their best task force on February 7th to spread awareness for heart disease. Therapy dogs Murphy, Wolfy and Piper sported red bandanas and joined 40 to 50 employees in wearing red to amplify support for heart health month. 
These adorable pups are part of AdventHealth’s therapy dog program. The canines make their rounds at hospitals and comfort patients in designated pet areas.
Judy Perdue, the manager of volunteer services at AdventHealth, sees the rewards of having these furry friends come around. She explained that the patients’ eyes light up when the dogs visit and that they serve as a reminder of their own pets who are waiting for them to come home.
“Who doesn’t love to have a dog come with unconditional love to greet them?” Perdue offers. “It definitely makes a difference and enhances our patients’ and family members’ experience.”
Murphy, Wolfy and Piper are in high demand and represent the 18 canines and the 14 volunteers who are a part of the pet therapy program, which hospital officials say brings comfort and a much-needed distraction to patients and plays an instrumental role in the care offered at the hospital.
To learn more, visit www.adventhealth.com/hospital/adventhealth-ocala
