WALLINGFORD -- Gaylord Hospital has a new employee roaming the halls, and her lab coat isn't white, it's yellow.
Working at Gaylord since September, Galya is involved in an array of different tasks to help the rehab patients.
"She brings a lot to the table," said Galya's handler, Heather Hancort, a registered nurse and manager at Gaylord.
In the world of therapy dogs, Hancort says Galya comes with plenty of credentials -- she was trained by the organization known as Canine Companions for Independence. "It's almost like having a Ph.D," Hancort said. "She's quite intelligent and knows about 50 commands."
Whether it's opening a handicapped accessible powered door or closing a drawer, Galya is in demand for patients all over the hospital. Often times, Galya assists helping injured patients learn to walk again, leading them as they hold her leash.
"Just walking down the hallways she brings a smile to people's faces, that, by itself, helps with healing," Hancort said. "She absolutely loves working with people."
You can learn more about Galya here.