ROCKPORT — MaineHealth Pen Bay Hospital is excited to welcome its newest volunteers: Mango, a pet therapy dog, and his handler, Cristina Lindsay.
Mango, a four-and-a-half- year-old American black Labrador, began training as a therapy dog at just 10 weeks old in Oregon, offering comfort to frontline health care workers during the COVID-19 pandemic. With a calm demeanor, sharp instincts and a friendly presence, he quickly earned the title of “Employee Morale Specialist.”
“My office became Mango’s office,” said Lindsay, who is also a registered and licensed occupational therapist and a native of Yarmouth, Maine. “He greeted new hires, joined training sessions and executive meetings and created a safe space where people could relax, share their feelings and simply breathe a little easier.”
Certified by Pet Partners, a national therapy animal workplace program dedicated to fostering the human-animal bond, Mango received top scores in service-level training and is well-equipped for hospital environments. He has worked in hospital settings from the start and is comfortable around medical equipment, alarms and mobility devices.
“His playful, nonjudgmental nature sparks memories, starts conversations and provides sensory stimulation, even for those who may have lost hearing or sight,” Lindsay said.
Mango’s talents expand beyond health care. He has served as a greeter at events, a mascot, and has appeared in marketing campaigns for multiple brands, including King Arthur Baking Company and Cuisinart.
“Studies show that pet therapy can reduce stress and depression, lower blood pressure and enhance overall well-being,” said Jamie Geretz, director of volunteer services at MaineHealth Pen Bay and Waldo Hospitals. “We’re fortunate to have wonderful dogs and volunteers who help provide this meaningful service to patients, visitors and care team members.”
Mango and Lindsay will be visiting MaineHealth Pen Bay Hospital weekly.
“A visit from a pet can bring comfort, distraction and a much-needed bright spot in someone’s day,” Geretz added.
Pet therapy is a volunteer service offered at both MaineHealth Pen Bay Hospital and MaineHealth Waldo Hospital. To learn more, visit mainehealth.org/pen-bay-medical-center/ways-give/volunteer.
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About MaineHealth
MaineHealth is a not-for-profit, integrated health system whose vision is, “Working together so our communities are the healthiest in America,” and is committed to a mission of providing high-quality affordable care, educating tomorrow's caregivers and researching better ways to provide care. MaineHealth includes a Level 1 trauma medical center, eight additional licensed hospitals, comprehensive pediatric care services, an extensive behavioral health care network, diagnostic services as well as home health, hospice and senior care services. With more than 2,000 employed providers and approximately 23,000 care team members, MaineHealth provides preventive care, diagnosis and treatment to 1.1 million residents in Maine and New Hampshire. MaineHealth hospitals include MaineHealth Behavioral Health at Spring Harbor in Westbrook, MaineHealth Franklin Hospital in Farmington, MaineHealth Lincoln Hospital in Damariscotta, MaineHealth Maine Medical Center in Portland, Biddeford and Sanford, MaineHealth Memorial Hospital in North Conway, N.H., MaineHealth Mid Coast Hospital in Brunswick, MaineHealth Pen Bay Hospital in Rockport, MaineHealth Stephens Hospital in Norway and MaineHealth Waldo Hospital in Belfast. MaineHealth also includes the MaineHealth Barbara Bush Children’s Hospital in Portland, MaineHealth Behavioral Health in Westbrook, MaineHealth Home Health and Hospice in Saco, the MaineHealth Institute for Research in Scarborough, the MaineHealth Medical Group and MaineHealth NorDx in Scarborough. MaineHealth affiliates include Maine General Health in Augusta and Waterville and St. Mary's Health System in Lewiston. It is also a significant stakeholder in the MaineHealth Accountable Care Organization in Portland and a joint venture partner in the New England Rehabilitation Hospital in Portland.