Allegheny Valley Hospital hosts Howl-O-Ween pet parade featuring therapy dog team

Staff and patients at Allegheny Valley Hospital in Harrison got a chance to forget about their daily stresses and concerns for a short time while a team of therapy dogs donned their favorite costumes for a Howl-O-Ween parade.

“Nothing brings a smile to the face of a patient or employee like a friendly, tail-wagging dog — except maybe a golden retriever dressed up like a pumpkin,” said Kimberly Giovanelli, the hospital’s director of volunteer resources.

AVH’s team of therapy dogs and their handlers regularly volunteer their time in the hospital by visiting patients in their rooms, in common areas and in the mental health units, she said. She said that staff loves interacting with the dogs when they have the time.

“We had a really rough morning in the ER today, so this is something I really need,” nurse Savannah Lindsay said while she and coworker Jenna Diugos spent some time with Max, one of the therapy dogs who participated in the parade.

Dr. Vicenta Gaspar-Yoo, president of Allegheny Valley Hospital, said Thursday’s Howl-O-Ween was a great opportunity for employees to take a respite from the fast-paced hospital environment.

“This is a busy place, and the work is difficult and stressful,” she said while petting a Great Pyrenees named Chloe, who came to the parade dressed as an octopus. “We’ve seen that something as simple as petting a dog can be therapeutic for patients. So this is a great way to extend that benefit to our staff members.”