September 2016 – Meet the Team
When did you and Cooper become a team? – Cooper and I became a team in March of 2011 in Tucson, Arizona. Our first responsibility was to visit an abused women and children shelter.
What other partners have you had? – None.
In what type of facility are you visiting? – The Children’s Floor of University Hospital.
In what other Therapy Animals activities do you and your partner participate? – Cooper and I have participated in the destressor events at the colleges.
Tell us something about your partner that we may not know. – Cooper is originally from Belgium and has two pet passports from the European Union. When we talk about Cooper’s home country with the children, it affords me an opportunity to talk about how grateful we are for the resources, culture, and language that our immigrants bring to our country.
What Therapy Animals leadership position(s) do you currently have? – None.
What other leadership positions have you had? – None.
Tell us something about yourself that we may not know. – We’ve been volunteering for more than three years at University Hospital. Last December, the Hospital recognized Cooper’s role as a therapy dog and updated his volunteer badge to reflect his new nickname of “Dr. Cooper.” When he visits on Saturdays, he takes at least one selfie, picture, or Snapchat with the doctors, nurses, and other staff members.
