Helen Tselepis’ journey into volunteerism was born out of a deeply personal experience. While she was a patient in the heart and lung transplant wing at a hospital in Northern Virginia, Helen suffered complications from an atrial ablation and was placed on life support. During her recovery, a therapy dog was brought in as part of the hospital’s animal-assisted care program. That moment left a lasting impact.
“I had three different dogs visit me when I was there,” Helen recalls. “It made such a difference.”
Inspired by the healing power of that interaction, Helen became involved with the same animal-assisted care program. She began volunteering with therapy dogs, eventually getting her own certified therapy animal to join her in helping others. To qualify for pet therapy, patients needed a physician’s order specifying a therapeutic goal—such as aiding word retrieval in head trauma patients. Over time, Helen logged more than 1,000 volunteer hours, working alongside dogs to awaken patients from comas, support high-risk maternity patients during extended hospital stays, and offer moments of comfort and connection to those in need.
Helen continued her commitment to healthcare and service after relocating to the State College area in 2008. Prior to moving, she spent 41 years working as a periodontal dental hygienist in Virginia. Helen began volunteering with Mount Nittany Health in 2009 and has contributed over 2,300 volunteer hours across various roles. Her efforts have spanned patient floors, the Emergency Department (where she especially enjoyed working late-night Friday shifts), the ultrasound waiting area, the cardiovascular pavilion, the medical-surgical walking program, COVID-19 vaccine clinics, the gift shop, and the outpatient surgical desk.
One experience that stood out to Helen was the medical-surgical walking program. “Patients are encouraged to get out of bed, sit in a chair, and gradually begin walking through the halls,” she explains. “We used lion paw prints on the floors as markers to motivate them and help track their progress. It encouraged them to go a little farther each time.”
However, her favorite volunteer assignment was in the hospital’s gift shop. She worked Sundays, knowing extra help was needed on that day. “What I liked most was that it was a place of respite for those visiting,” she says. “Visitors would come in after days at the hospital, hear the music playing, pick up a stuffed animal, and you could just see their mood change.”
She adds, “The gift shop was more than a place to buy candy or flowers—it offered comfort. Every Sunday, I’d see that sense of relief on someone’s face, and it felt like a gift to those who needed it.”
Helen’s connection to Mount Nittany Health goes beyond her volunteer duties. She speaks warmly of the appreciation she receives from staff. “It’s the gratitude of the staff; they’re always thanking you for coming in and telling you how much a volunteer is helping their day,” she says. “It’s that sense of community that I always feel really good about when I’m leaving, that I was part of the community of Mount Nittany. They’re always so grateful that we’re there.”
She especially appreciates the little gestures—like hearing “thank you” in the café when staff notices her volunteer badge. “The thank-you’s just kind of feed your soul,” Helen says.
Her advice for those considering volunteering? “Try it out, and if one job doesn’t work for you, there are plenty of other ones you can try that may fit just like a glove.”
Reflecting on her years of service, Helen says volunteering has enriched her life in countless ways. But at its core, her motivation remains simple and heartfelt:
“If I can help just one person in that four-hour shift, then I feel I’ve done some good.”
Mount Nittany Health takes pride in honoring and celebrating volunteers like Helen, whose compassion and unwavering commitment continue to make a lasting difference in the lives of patients, visitors, and staff. Volunteers like Helen bring comfort and healing to the hospital environment, and Mount Nittany Health is deeply grateful for the invaluable impact they make each day. If you see Helen in one of Mount Nittany Health’s facilities, be sure to say hello—she’s always glad to greet others and offer her support.
To learn more about volunteering with Mount Nittany Health, visit mountnittany.org/mount-nittany-health-foundation/volunteers. Questions can be directed to Monique Behrer, Volunteer Resources Supervisor, at mtd0523@mountnittany.org.