WALLINGFORD – Instead of the Monday blues, it was a Monday celebration at Gaylord Hospital on October 17. The guest of honor? A 3 1/2-year-old Labrador Retriever named Galya.
Galya is a beloved--and highly-trained--therapy dog officially known as a facility dog. She spends much of her day visiting patients and raising their spirits.
To celebrate Galya’s first year of service at the hospital, co-workers gathered in the courtyard, which was decked out in streamers and balloons.
“She makes people very happy,” said Heather Harcourt, Galya’s handler and a nurse manager in the rehab division at Gaylord. “She’s really like a therapy dog with a Ph.D.”
Part of the festivities for Galya included a presentation from Cheshire-based Thomaston Feed, a pet supply company. Nicci Cammack, from Thomaston Feed was happy to announce her company was going to feed Galya for life.
“It’s really nice to see the impact she has on the patients here,” Commack said. “It’s a real honor that we’re blessed enough to be able to do this.”
As Galya feasted on dog treats and received well wishes from staff and patients, the party-goers enjoyed a custom dog bone-shaped cake which was donated for the event by the Sassy Mama Sweet shop in Southington.
