SPCA Paws for Love Brings Furry Friends to Mercy Hospital Staff.

[July 15, 2020: Spectrum News]

Mercy Hospital of Buffalo got a few four-legged visitors on Tuesday thanks to the SPCA’s Paws for Love program.

Therapy dogs greeted hospital staff, physicians and nurses and besides putting a smile of people’s faces, the dogs help to reduce stress.

"They just love and they give back love. When we talk about needing to distress at the end of the day, you have a pet at home, and usually that pet just senses something wrong and they come over to you, and that's what therapy dogs are trained to do too, be able to just give back love unconditionally," said Heide Cornell, Catholic Health Volunteer Services director.

While the Paws for Love program has been on hold during the pandemic, program volunteers say that they are excited to be able to get back to work. ... MORE