Cody
Born on July 14, 2024, Cody is a spirited golden retriever who joined his human family as a very special birthday gift for Don from his loving wife, Wanda. Cody was destined from the start to become a therapy dog, following in the paw prints of his canine companion Cooper — a beloved pet therapy dog at Mount Nittany Medical Center for the past two years.
Recently certified through the Alliance of Therapy Dogs, Cody is well on his way to expanding his credentials with upcoming AKC certification and his CGC (Canine Good Citizen) award. This enthusiastic young golden has already proven he’s a natural at bringing comfort and joy to people, with an amazing ability to sense exactly when someone needs a gentle nudge or a warm, furry presence by their side.
Cody’s favorite activities are collecting rocks and sticks, playing with tennis balls, and contentedly chewing on stuffed animals. He also enjoys a spirited game of fetch!
Cody’s path to therapy work began through the power of friendship and community connection. When his human companion, Wanda, got involved with PawZone — a local therapy dog group — and met a friend who takes her dog to schools, nursing homes, libraries, drug rehabilitation centers, and courts, she learned about Mount Nittany Medical Center’s desire for therapy dogs. At the time, Cooper became the fifth dog to join this meaningful initiative, paving the way for Cody’s journey into therapy work.
Murray
Born on July 1, 2018, Murray is a delightful Goldendoodle whose “formal” name is Murdock, though that’s only used when he’s in trouble! This lovable rescue joined his human companion Jennifer’s life when he was just six months old, arriving as a pup who was a little behind in training. But, Murray caught up quickly, especially once he discovered that working with people meant endless attention—his absolute favorite thing in the world!
Now a certified therapy dog for four years, Murray is a natural comfort dog who lives for human connection and has an amazing ability to make fast friends wherever he goes. Murray’s zest for life shines through his favorite activities: swimming, beach trips, car rides, and chasing tennis balls with boundless energy. He’s also a true connoisseur of belly rubs and chin scratches, melting hearts with his appreciation for gentle affection.
Murray’s friendly and affectionate personality made it clear he was destined for therapy work. After dedicated training, he became certified with Pet Partners in 2021, then switched to Alliance of Therapy Dogs in 2023.
Murray, your gentle spirit and boundless love have already begun touching lives at Mount Nittany Medical Center, bringing comfort, smiles, and healing to all who have the privilege of meeting you. Thank you for your dedication and service!
Lucy
Lucy is a joyful, social Goldendoodle with a heart as golden as her curls. Born on October 1, 2020, she has a natural gift for connection and lights up every room she enters. Certified through the Alliance of Therapy Dogs, Lucy was born to bring comfort.
From a young age, she showed a deep affection for people and an uncanny ability to sense emotions. She greets new friends with a gentle handshake and often forms instant bonds—especially if ear scratches are involved. But don’t let her sweet demeanor fool you: Lucy plays fetch with Olympic-level focus and rarely lets her beloved ball out of sight. Her short list of dislikes includes losing that ball, the smell of coffee, and fuzzy caterpillars.
When she’s not volunteering in the State College Area School District alongside her mom, a school nurse, Lucy enjoys playing with her Doodle sisters—Esme and Paisley—swimming, or riding shotgun in the golf cart. Her favorite treats include chicken, peanut butter, red peppers, and her daily dental chew, which she never forgets.
Lucy has a few surprising talents. She plays songs on her pet piano and celebrates bath time with full-speed zoomies. At home, she shares her big heart—and her toys—with her sister, Paisley, also a therapy dog at Mount Nittany Medical Center.
Paisley
Paisley, a sweet and snuggly Bernedoodle born on March 18, 2022, radiates love, laughter, and personality. Personal space isn’t her thing—she prefers to be snuggled up close, whether with her humans or her Doodle sisters. With soulful eyes and a gentle spirit, she quickly becomes a favorite wherever she goes.
Paisley began her therapy journey with ease. While she may not have a long list of tricks, her calming presence and intuitive nature speak volumes. Alongside Lucy, she volunteers in the State College Area School District, offering comfort to students and staff, especially those needing a little extra emotional support. Whether joining a student for lunch or quietly sitting beside them during a stressful moment, Paisley brings calm with her signature full-body wiggle and steady tail-thump.
Paisley delights in the simple things, such as car rides, golf cart cruises, pond and pool swims, and toting her cherished Lamb Chop toy everywhere. Her favorite snacks include chewy granola bars, beef, and crunchy carrots. Her only real dislike? Being ignored—she believes everyone she meets should stop for a cuddle. She’s no stranger to a little flair either, sometimes returning from the groomer with “Doodle paint” to match her playful personality. She even once won a “Cutest Pet” contest.
Paisley’s presence is as comforting as a warm blanket on a chilly day, and her ability to connect with people is nothing short of magical. Whether it’s through a lunchtime visit, a tail-thump greeting, or a quiet moment by a student’s side, Paisley is always ready to give her love and ask for a little belly rub in return.
Rosie
Rosie, a certified therapy dog with Alliance of Therapy Dogs, brings joy, comfort, and a whole lot of heart in a small but mighty package. Born on June 4, 2020, Rosie’s journey to becoming a beloved therapy dog is nothing short of inspiring.
Rosie was adopted by her human companion, Corinna Lyncha, through Guardian Angels Pug Rescue (GAPR) in Latrobe, PA. But Rosie’s story begins much farther away, as she was rescued through China Rescue Dogs in North Carolina. Once known as “Trio,” Rosie lost a paw due to the harsh conditions she endured. Corinna was willing to get Rosie a prosthetic paw, and My Pet’s Braces in Cannonsburg, PA, crafted a custom paw that gave Rosie a new lease on life.
Rosie soon caught the eye of a film crew from Philadelphia, who featured her story on the Second Chance Pets TV show in an episode titled, “Coming Up Rosey’s.” Today, Rosie shares her home in State College with Corinna and her fur siblings, Pugs Gertie and Tater and a Boston Terrier Ralphy-Billy 2.0. Corinna and her husband have had Pugs since 2001, and are proud advocates of pet adoption. Together, they celebrate their passion each year at Pug Fest in Latrobe, PA, one of the largest Pug gatherings on the East Coast.
Clover
Clover is an (almost) two-year-old golden retriever with a sweet personality and playful spirit. She is ready to contribute to the Mount Nittany Health Experience by following in the footsteps of her big sister, Daisy, who has been a therapy dog for two years.
Clover’s journey as a therapy dog is only just beginning, and her introduction to the Medical Center will be gradual as she builds her confidence. “She’s been cautious both times I’ve brought her, but I am hoping with time, she will become more confident,” shared Mandy Biddle, Volunteer, and Clover’s handler.
Clover’s favorite activities include going for ATV rides and sharing cheese sticks with her family members. She has a soft spot for her squeaky toy “binkie” and her many stuffed animals, including Mr. Pickles and Geoffrey the Giraffe. Clover also loves chewing on deer antlers and playfully dismantling her sister’s toys.
Frannie
Despite her difficult past, Frannie has a gentle spirit and a special affinity for people, especially seniors. This led Linda to explore pet therapy, initially considering nursing home visits. When she learned that Mount Nittany Medical Center was launching a pet therapy program, she knew it was the perfect opportunity to expand Frannie’s reach. Now, the duo brings comfort at Mount Nittany Medical Center and in other care settings.
Frannie is a registered therapy dog with the Alliance of Therapy Dogs and takes her work seriously, but she also enjoys her downtime. True to her Labrador nature, she takes great pride in keeping Linda’s yard free of birds, squirrels, rabbits, and chipmunks before settling in for a well-earned nap and dreams of dinner.
Trooper
Trooper is loved by Sandy Erwin and Annette Hestre, who both serve as his certified handlers. He enjoys a variety of activities, including watching birds, going on hikes, playing fetch in the park with his ball, and solving puzzles, demonstrating his intelligence and curiosity. His favorite foods are cheese and dog-friendly ice cream, and he loves in spending time with his canine friends.
Trooper’s journey to becoming a therapy dog began after Sandy experienced the calming presence of a therapy dog during a family member’s hospital stay. Inspired by that moment, Sandy and Annette pursued therapy dog certification to offer others the same sense of comfort and relief. Together with Trooper, they are now each a Certified Therapy Dog Team, committed to providing comfort and companionship to those in need.
Mulligan
Mulligan thrives in social settings. “He’s happiest when he’s surrounded by people,” said Dr. Charles. “Whether he’s at a festival, sporting event, or even just being groomed, he loves every bit of attention he gets.” Mulligans favorite activities include swimming, hiking, and of course, receiving affection. Popcorn is his favorite snack.
“From the time Mulligan was little, he has loved people and is very gentle with them,” said Dr. Charles. “He has a very calm demeanor and is not scared of things that can sometimes make dogs skittish, like loud noises or sudden movements. Lots of people who met him suggested that he would make a good therapy dog.” When Dr. Charles discovered Mount Nittany Health’s Pet Therapy Program, it seemed like a perfect fit. “I knew Mulligan had the temperament for it, so we started his training, and he passed with flying colors, He absolutely loves his work.”
Millie
Millee is a sheltiepoo – a cross between a Shetland sheepdog (commonly referred to as a sheltie) and a miniature poodle, and weighs 14 pounds. She will be two years old on January 31st. Millie’s owner is Julie Reed, Registrar/Scheduler, Mount Nittany Health Internal Medicine.
“Millie is an intelligent, independent ball of energy who loves people, attention, playing ball, riding in the car, chew-toys, and jerky treats. All of this, of course, in addition to being a serious working therapy dog,” said Julie.
Once Millee’s vest goes on, she knows she is working and appears to take extraordinary pride in what she does. Prancing from patient to patient, Millee is very attentive to her handler for instruction while volunteering. She can keenly sense which patients need extra love and attention.
Cooper
Cooper is a gentle golden retriever who recently turned four-years-old. Over the summer, he completed seven weeks of basic obedience training and seven weeks of agility training. His human was inspired to certify him as a volunteer therapy dog after reading an article in the local paper about the benefits of pet therapy and its implementation at Bellwood Elementary School. Cooper received his therapy dog certification through the Alliance of Therapy Dogs in September.
In addition to bringing smiles and joy to patients at Mount Nittany Medical Center, Cooper regularly visits a veteran’s affairs home, Blair Senior Services, H.O.P.E Drop-In Center, Penn State Altoona, Mount Aloysius College, Altoona Area High School, Penn Lincoln School, Hollidaysburg High School, and several local churches. In January, his services will also extend to Bellwood Elementary School where he will provide a calming presence for schoolchildren who are learning to read.
When he is not busy serving the community, Cooper loves his ball, his stuffed duck, and his stuffed bear. He also loves bacon, but he only gets it when he is training. He is a very good boy who adores all people and loves being petted.
Connor
Connor is a six-year-old Scottish terrier. He has worked as a therapy dog for almost four years at the Bellefonte Library and in the Bellefonte Area School District. “Connor is a busy boy with scent, rally, agility, and therapy work,” said Cheryl Fugate, Connor and Faolin’s handler, Therapy Dog International Certifier, Mount Nittany Health volunteer. “Connor lives at home with his brother and two sisters, who are all Scotties. They love running and hunting for critters together, and trying to steal vegetables from the garden.”
Daisy
Daisy is certified through the Alliance of Therapy Dogs, an international registry of certified therapy dog teams that provides testing, certification, registration, support, and insurance for members who volunteer with their dogs in animal-assisted activities. She is also the spokes-pup for the Jared Box Project – a local, non-profit organization that helps bring the gift of play to children in hospitals.
When Daisy is volunteering, heartwarming moments are bound to happen. Mandy shared that the pair recently visited an office to decrease stress and boost morale when Daisy was drawn to one gentleman in particular.
“I thought maybe he had some bacon in his pocket,” joked Mandy. “It turned out that his family dog had just passed away the weekend before and he hadn’t told any of his co-workers yet. Thankfully, having Daisy there seemed to create a comforting space for him to talk about it. She has a knack for knowing where she’s needed most.”
Baily
Baily is an eight-year-old mini American shepherd, born on April Fools’ Day. His family adopted him after his previous owner passed away unexpectedly. He has two canine sisters, also both mini American shepherds. His life is filled with constant play, ball catching, and plenty of squirrel chasing.
“Baily is a herding breed, trained in multiple activities such as agility, scent work, coursing, fast cat, rally, and obedience,” said Cindy Lorenzo, Baily’s handler and Mount Nittany Health volunteer. “He is also a trained therapy dog who loves people and can sense those in need of comfort. I often tell people that therapy dogs are not trained, they are born that way.”
As a therapy dog, Baily works at the Bellefonte Library in the Tail Waggin’ Tutors reading program, visits various schools in the Bellefonte Area School District, volunteers with the Tides support program, and is now proud to serve Mount Nittany Health as a canine volunteer.