These 4-legged coworkers play a vital role in providing relief during stressful situations, trauma, and grief to the healthcare staff and first responders.
SAN ANTONIO — Say hello to the Golden Girls of Methodist Healthcare, a trio of Golden Retrievers who give comfort to healthcare workers and first responders.
Chanel, Fresca, and Lady are the hospital’s three Emergency Services Facility Dogs. They report to work at the hospital every day to provide relief during stressful situations, trauma, and grief to those who need it the most. Their presence not only brings joy but also helps to alleviate the emotional toll that can accompany the demanding nature of healthcare work.
These beautiful dogs are not pets, but rather cherished coworkers who bring great joy to the workplace. Sporting red vests outlined in black with custom employee name badges, they eagerly race to greet staff members whenever they are nearby, their tails wagging in excitement.
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Check out the Golden Girls of Methodist Healthcare
They each have very distinct personalities. Chanel is a Golden Retriever and Lab mix that enjoys evening walks, car rides, and wrestling with her German Shepherd brother at home, when she’s off-duty. Fresca is a Labrador Retriever who loves sleeping and snacking on ice. Lady (aka Ladybug) is also a Labrador Retriever. But she likes sunbathing, and has a penchant for stealing soft blankets and pillows, said her human.
“We spend all of our time together,” said Brandon Miller, EMS Liaison and owner of Chanel. “She helps a lot of people, but on those days when I’ve had a rough day, she is there to help me as well, and vice versa. In her role, she takes on a lot of stress. She gets put into a lot of situations that are hard on people, but they are also hard on her. When she is home, our family is where she decompresses.”