Dana-Farber Cancer Institute and Dunkin’® Joy in Childhood Foundation® Celebrate the Hospital’s First In-Residence Facility Dog

The Jimmy Fund Clinic welcomes Opry to the team thanks to the Dunkin’ Joy in Childhood Foundation’s Dogs for Joy program, which awards grants for highly trained dogs to help bring joy to kids battling illness

BOSTON, MA – Doctors typically wear a lab coat to work, not a furry coat, but the Dunkin’ Joy in Childhood Foundation today announced Dana-Farber Cancer Institute’s Jimmy Fund Clinic’s newest four-legged “dog-tor,” Opry (@tailsofdanafarber). A 1.5-year-old Golden Retriever, Opry is the first in-residence facility dog joining the care team at the Jimmy Fund Clinic thanks to the Dunkin’ Joy in Childhood Foundation’s Dogs for Joy program.

Launched in 2018, the Dogs for Joy program places highly trained dogs that perform specialized tasks in healthcare settings and act as a critical part of a child’s treatment plan. The goal of the program is to dramatically increase the number of in-residence dogs working in children’s hospitals around the country and increase the prevalence of animal-assisted therapy as part of treatment. The program is made possible by the Dunkin’ Joy in Childhood Foundation, the charitable organization powered by Dunkin’ and the generosity of its franchisees, partners, team members, and guests. The Foundation’s mission is to provide the simple joys of childhood to kids battling hunger or illness, even on their most difficult days.

As a full-time employee of the hospital team, Opry is a critical member of the pediatric care team. She will be working alongside healthcare staff to provide a more therapeutic environment for our pediatric patients by normalizing the hospital experience, motivating patients to achieve their healthcare goals, distracting during uncomfortable procedures, and so much more.

Unlike volunteer therapy dogs, facility dogs work full-time in one location as part of the institution's regular staff. Facility dogs have specific roles and tasks that are tailored to the needs of the patient population they serve. These dogs can physically interact with patients to provide comfort and love and research shows that animal-assisted therapy can lower stress and anxiety levels, affect blood pressure, increase patient mobility, and provide an alternative focus from pain.

The new Animal-Assisted Therapy (AAT) Dog Program is possible because of philanthropy, including longtime supporters of pediatric patient care at Dana-Farber, The Salvatore & Anna Beltrone Family Foundation. The Foundation established the Winslow Goldenheart, the Beloved Goldendoodle Fund with a gift to support the AAT program in honor of Winslow, a goldendoodle who brought joy to everyone he met, just like Opry will do for patients and families in the Jimmy Fund Clinic.

“The Joy in Childhood Foundation has been a longtime supporter of Dana-Farber and the Jimmy Fund and on behalf of my fellow franchisees, I am thrilled that we are able to bring Dana-Farber its first facility dog through our Dogs for Joy Program,” said Victor Carvalho, Dunkin’ Franchisee and Joy in Childhood Foundation Chairman. “We have seen the incredible impact that our Dogs for Joy program has had on kids in hospitals throughout the country and we are excited to bring this special pup to the pediatric patients at Dana-Faber.”

“As is true for all who wear a Dana-Farber badge, Opry has a deep-seeded love for helping others. She is the perfect addition to our team, and I am so excited to watch her pave the way for this new program,” said Kate Nixon, CCLS, Program Manager, Tales of Dana-Farber, Jimmy Fund Clinic.

Dunkin’, National DCP, and the Joy in Childhood Foundation have been strong supporters of Dana Farber and the Jimmy Fund, granting $16,288,861 to the hospital since 1991.

For more information on the Dunkin’ Joy in Childhood Foundation’s Dogs for Joy program and how healthcare providers can apply to receive granting for an in-residence dog, visit www.bringjoy.org.

About the Jimmy Fund Clinic

Dana-Farber/Boston Children’s Cancer and Blood Disorder Center's Jimmy Fund Clinic is one of the world's premier centers for outpatient pediatric cancer treatment and research. Designed especially for the comfort and convenience of pediatric patients and their families, the Jimmy Fund Clinic follows the "family-centered care" philosophy of Institute founder Dr. Sidney Farber, assuring that a patient's psychological, family, and spiritual needs are met as well their medical needs.

About Dunkin’ Joy in Childhood Foundation
The Dunkin’ Joy in Childhood Foundation, the charitable foundation supported by Dunkin,’ provides the simple joys of childhood to kids battling hunger or illness. The Foundation partners with food banks, children’s hospitals, and nonprofit organizations to help support kids when they need it most. Since 2006, the Dunkin’ Joy in Childhood Foundation has granted more than $49 million to hundreds of national and local charities across the country thanks to the generosity of its franchisees, guests, vendor partners, and employees. For more information, please visit www.bringjoy.org.

Media Contacts

For Dunkin’ Joy in Childhood Foundation

Stacy Clougherty
Hollywood Agency
stacy@hollywoodagency.com

For Dana-Farber/The Jimmy Fund

Molly McHale
Molly_mchale@dfci.harvard.edu