The Maui Memorial Medical Center Pet Therapy program is expanding with the help of some new four-legged friends and their owners.
The newest member of the group is Wilbur, who is a mixed terrier rescue dog. He will be accompanied by Dr. Shannon Dominquez.
Dominquez is from the Haku Baldwin Center in Makawao. The center offers therapeutic programs and educational programs dedicated to helping children and adults with special needs, patients and seniors in hospitals, rehabilitation, convalescent, assisted-care, pediatric and adult day-care facilities.
Article Photos
Alison Wolford (from left) and Lucy, Lowell Thomas and Kuuipo and Dr. Shannon Dominquez and Wilbur are part of the MMMC Pet Therapy Program.
Lowell Thomas and Kuuipo, who is a Labrador, have been volunteering at MMMC since 2009. Starting next year, Lowell and Kuuipo will be part of the regular pet therapy team visiting once a week.
MMMC Recreational Therapist Alison Wolford and Lucy, who is a basset hound, are also part of the MMMC Pet Therapy program. Lucy is the oldest dog, at the age of 9. She joined the team in 2011.
"It has been a pleasure to participate with this program as it has brought many smiles to our clients along with some amazing stories regarding their pets," said Wolford. "I can only hope we can grow this program with variety to serve more people here at MMMC."
