St. Jude Paws at Play program celebrates first anniversary

Photos by Biomedical Communications, Communications and Child Life staff

Puggle and Huckleberry of the St. Jude Paws at Play program have made a remarkable impact on patient care since arriving at the hospital in September 2019.

With their Child Life handlers, the dogs support patients during procedures, encourage patients to take their medicine, motivate patients to move after surgery, reduce the need for sedation and help patients during end-of-life care.

The dogs have recently expanded their roles during the pandemic by visiting with employees in partnership with the hospital’s staff resilience program.

Puggle and Huckleberry have visited hundreds of patients, celebrated milestones and become the hospital’s most recognizable employees during this unusual year on the St. Jude campus.  (NOTE: Photos were taken before the COVID-19 pandemic.)

Follow the adventures of Puggle and Huckleberry throughout the year on Instagram at @StJudePaws.

  • four women, two dogs

    Puggle and Huckleberry smile alongside their Child Life handlers.
  • Brittany Reed and Puggle

    Brittany Reed is the primary handler for Puggle.
  • Shandra Taylor and Huckleberry

    Huckleberry’s primary handler, Shandra Taylor, works with him on the MRI scanner.
  • Katie Greer, Shandra Taylor, Huckleberry

    Katie Greer and Shandra Taylor of Child Life meet Huckleberry for the first time.
  • Ashley Carr. Brittany Reed, Puggle

    Ashley Carr and Brittany Reed of Child Life pose with Puggle for the first time.
  • Shandra Taylor, Brittany Reed, Puggle, Huckleberry

    Puggle and Huckleberry pose with their new employee ID badges.
  • Dogs at employee town hall

    The dogs enjoy a well-deserved break during an Employee Town Hall to welcome them.
  • Shandra Taylor, Huckleberry, employees, mock MRI room

    Shandra Taylor and Huckleberry talk with employees in the mock MRI room.
  • Puggle

    Puggle at rest.
  • Huckleberry

    Huckleberry  is ready for his work day.
  • Dogs and St. Jude President and CEO James R. Downing, MD, on Halloween

    The dogs dressed as St. Jude President and CEO James R. Downing, MD, for Halloween.
  • Puggle celebrates his second birthday.

    Puggle celebrates his second birthday.
  • Huckleberry enjoys his second birthday.

    Huckleberry enjoys his second birthday.
  • Puggle and patient Cassidy Otto.

    Puggle greets patient Cassidy Otto. 
  • Puggle, staff member Diane McGarry

    Puggle comforts staff member Diane McGarry in the hospital’s COVID-19 Incident Command Center.
  • Huckleberry, nurse Nancy Hollingsworth.

    Huckleberry visits with nurse Nancy Hollingsworth.
  • Staff members visit with Puggle outside the hospital.

    Staff members visit with Puggle outside the hospital.

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