Welcome Lola, Therapy Dog in Training

We’re excited to introduce the newest member of the Sharon Direct Care family—Lola, Dr. Stein’s 14-week-old mini Goldendoodle!

Lola is a sweet, gentle puppy who loves meeting new people, getting pets, and bringing a little extra joy wherever she goes. Over the coming year, Lola will begin her journey toward becoming a certified therapy dog, and we are excited to share this process with our patients.

Lola’s Journey to Becoming a Therapy Dog

Becoming a therapy dog requires more than just a friendly personality. Lola’s training will focus on helping her develop the confidence, calm behavior, and social skills needed to provide comfort and support in a healthcare setting.

As part of her training, Lola will occasionally spend time in the Sharon Direct Care office. These visits allow her to become familiar with new environments, learn how to interact appropriately with different people, and gradually build the skills necessary for therapy work. This type of socialization is an important part of helping therapy dogs become comfortable, well-mannered, and prepared for their future role.

During this training period, Lola will not be part of every patient visit. She will remain out of the way unless a patient or visitor would like to meet her. We understand that not everyone is comfortable around dogs, and we want every patient to feel relaxed and respected. If you enjoy animals and would like to say hello during your visit, simply let us know—we would be happy to introduce you to Lola.

The Role of Therapy Dogs in Healthcare

Therapy dogs are specially trained to provide comfort and emotional support in settings such as hospitals, medical offices, rehabilitation centers, and nursing homes. While service dogs assist individuals with specific disabilities, therapy dogs work with trained handlers to support many different people through positive interactions.

Research has shown that spending time with therapy dogs can provide a variety of emotional and physical benefits, including helping to reduce stress and anxiety, lowering blood pressure, encouraging social connection, and creating a more calming healthcare environment. For many people, a few moments with a friendly dog can provide a welcome sense of comfort during an otherwise stressful experience.

At Sharon Direct Care, we believe healthcare should address the whole person—not just physical symptoms. Supporting emotional well-being and creating a warm, welcoming environment are important parts of the care we provide. Lola’s journey reflects our commitment to finding thoughtful ways to enhance the patient experience.

What to Expect When You Meet Lola

Because Lola is still a puppy in training, each interaction helps her learn and grow. If you choose to meet her during your visit, you can expect:

• A friendly, supervised interaction with Lola while she practices her training skills

• A calm opportunity to say hello and, if you wish, give her some pets

• A positive experience that helps Lola become more comfortable around different people

  
  

Meeting Lola will always be optional, and your comfort remains our priority. We will continue to be mindful of patients with allergies, sensitivities, or personal preferences and ensure that Lola’s presence never interferes with the care you receive.

We are excited to watch Lola grow and develop over the coming months. While she has plenty of training ahead of her, we hope that one day she will officially become a therapy dog and bring an additional source of comfort and companionship to the Sharon Direct Care community.

Welcome to the team, Lola!