While the training requirements for therapy dogs at The Ottawa Hospital are stringent, the requirements for those who receive the therapy are not. Quite simply: must love dogs. 

The Ottawa Hospital has been bringing pet therapy to patients and staff since the 1990s, thanks to our partners at Ottawa Therapy Dogs and St. John’s Ambulance, who make sure the dogs are trained and suited to a hospital environment. 

“We joke that for pet therapy teams to come to a hospital, they need nerves of steel — the hospital can be more chaotic than a retirement home or some of the other places they visit,” says Alexandria White, who coordinates the program. “We kind of get the best of the best.” 

The program has about 10 therapy dogs at the moment, from the classic Labradors and poodles to a 120-lb Great Pyrenees and a mini Australian Shepherd. Each dog truly becomes a part of the volunteer team at The Ottawa Hospital, even receiving their own identification badges. 

Beyond cuteness overload, pet therapy has shown a huge range of benefits, including increasing social connection and oxytocin while decreasing stress hormones.  

“We’ve seen it makes such a difference, both from a patient and staff perspective. The hospital can be a stressful environment but having something to break that up and be a little positive is always really nice,” says Alexandria. “You see people smiling, and they take a moment to forget about what they’re dealing with.” 

One of the dogs famous for bringing happiness to the hospital was the aptly named Happy, a golden retriever. A real rock star at our General Campus, Happy brought joy to everyone he met. The outpouring of support after he crossed the rainbow bridge (a euphemism for a pet who’s passed) just goes to show how valued these furry members of our team are. 

Today, dogs like Panda — a golden doodle who’s black and white, (not much golden DNA to show there!) are carrying on Happy’s legacy. Panda is known for his calm demeanour and the “hugs” he gives to patients by leaning up against them. Each dog has their own unique personality, but what they share is near-universal popularity. 

“I have the best job ever,” says Alexandria — although based on the tails wagging every time the therapy dogs come through our doors, they might argue theirs is even better. 

DID YOU KNOW? The Civic Hospital School of Nursing had a song nurses would sing as part of their graduation ceremony, written by Ruth Freedman (Perlin) in 1951, who was also a champion tennis player in her youth:  

🎵OCH we sing your praise, queen of nursing all your days, hope and healing grace your crown, honour, duty, are your throne. Builder of a nation’s health, guardian of our greatest wealth, guide us in all-knowing care, nursing’s noble lamp to bear.  

Uniform of pink and white, silent vigil through the night, throb of corridor by day, bunnied babes in nursery.  

Memories to recall always, friendships warm of training days. For all these your health we toast, OCH our honoured host. 🎵 

Source: School of Nursing Guide from Ruth Thomson 

“Four generations of my family have proudly worked at and supported The Ottawa Hospital! During a recent family BBQ, I learned that in total, nine family members have worked at the hospital, and together, we’ve contributed an impressive 100 years of service!  

My grandparents, Erma and Doug Van Dusen, raised their 12 children here in Ottawa, and in the 1960’s when their youngest was just two, my grandmother made the decision to re-enter the workforce. She found her place in Food and Hospitality Services at the Civic campus, where she dedicated more than 20 years of her life to serving the community.  

My courageous aunt, Janice Van Dusen, who recently passed away from cancer, worked at The Ottawa Hospital for an astounding 30 years. Even once she became a patient, she reminisced fondly about her time at the Civic. She was especially excited to see the new hospital campus being built, knowing it would positively impact patients, families, and staff for years to come.  

My mother Linda Deshaw contributed 13 tireless years to the Civic, and I recently celebrated my 20th anniversary as a staff member. I have many other family members who have added to our legacy. Today alone, four of us work at The Ottawa Hospital – my cousins Susan and Schuyler and my daughter Emily. I’m incredibly proud that our family continues to grow its service and support to such a historic institution, especially at such a pivotal time for healthcare in our community.” 

-submitted by Jennifer van Noort, TOHF 

The Wellness Centre is a one-stop shop for onsite and virtual health and wellness services dedicated to TOH staff and medical staff. In an environment where work-related stress and fatigue are common, this Centre provides essential services like mental health support sessions, vaccination and mask fit testing, relaxation and stretching space and peer support, ensuring that staff have the tools to maintain their health and wellness. 

By prioritizing the wellbeing of its health-care providers, The Ottawa Hospital aims to further enhance the quality of care for patients, while also fostering a more caring and compassionate health-care environment. Today, there are two additional locations (at the General Campus and at the Riverside Campus). There have been over 7,650 visits for wellness services at the Wellness Centre since 2023. 

This moment shows a doctor and nurse at the Civic in 1955 using an imaging method called fluoroscopy to examine the gastrointestinal tract of a patient. Fluoroscopy uses a fluorescent screen and an x-ray beam passing through the body to gather real-time moving images that display on a monitor. 

Fun Fact: The medical fluoroscope was developed in 1896 by none other than Thomas Edison!  

Credit: Library and Archives Canada
Copyright: Health and Welfare Canada

“My premature twins were born at the Civic on March 27,1986, at only 27-weeks and stayed at the Rich Little Special Care Nursery. They were born 3 pounds 9 oz and 3 pounds 11 oz. It is hard for me to put into words the care, support, and unbelievable staff that helped my children through their first month — I can never thank everyone enough.” 

Submitted by community member, Sharon L.