Every week at South Miami Hospital and Doctors Hospital, some patients are visited by four-legged guests whose sole purpose is to brighten the patients’ day with some tail-wagging fun and unconditional loving attention.

Yorkshire terrier Dorothy, a crowd favorite with her wheels, Australian labradoodle Brewster and their owners have been specially trained through Therapy Dogs Inc. to visit patients in hospitals, nursing homes and special needs centers.

Baptist Health hospitals, through their Volunteer Services departments, offer pet therapy programs to support patients’ healing and well-being.