WALLINGFORD, Conn. — Mandy, a lovable 2-year-old Golden Retriever mix, is perhaps the most high-profile new employee at Gaylord Hospital in Wallingford.
Working alongside her handler, physical therapist Sarah Carpenter, Mandy is a recent graduate of the Canine Companions program and now works to help patients at Gaylord with their rehab regimens.
“She was trained the same way a service dog was trained,” Carpenter said. “To help people who have disabilities here – to help them get through their day a little easier or help challenge them and push them in their therapy.”
Dan Hallima, a Gaylord patient from Fairfield who has been at the hospital for over two months as he battles back from a spinal cord injury, has become fast friends with Mandy.
"She gives me a sense of comfort," said Hallima, 51, who has learned how to walk again and works with Mandy on a regular basis.
He said Mandy is part of his exercise routine.
“She provides (me) a little bit of extra mobility, reaction time, bending down to pick up a ball and playing tug of war with her,” Hallima said. “So, Mandy gets me up and motivated for sure.”
Carpenter said Mandy provides an “unspoken love that an animal can bring to the patients.”
“When her vest goes on, she knows it’s time to work,” she said.
Jimmy Altman is a reporter at FOX61 News. He can be reached at jaltman@fox61.com. Follow him on Facebook, X and Instagram.
---
Do you have a story idea or something on your mind you want to share? We want to hear from you! Email us at newstips@fox61.com
---
HERE ARE MORE WAYS TO GET FOX61 NEWS
Download the FOX61 News APP
iTunes: Click here to download
Google Play: Click here to download
Stream Live on ROKU: Add the channel from the ROKU store or by searching FOX61.
Steam Live on FIRE TV: Search ‘FOX61’ and click ‘Get’ to download.