Patients and staff at Mercy Health - Springfield Regional Medical Center (SRMC) have a new source of comfort and joy thanks to the arrival of Therapy Dog Beau. Certified through the Alliance of Therapy Dogs, Beau has joined Behavioral Health Nurse Practitioner Nancy Schmelzer to bring smiles, emotional support, and a calming presence to the hospital environment.
Beau, who proudly sports his own official volunteer badge, will accompany Nancy as she visits patients and interacts with staff across the hospital. Similar to Henry, a therapy dog who already supports patients in the Acute Rehabilitation Center, Beau’s role is to offer comfort, ease anxiety, and help foster a more welcoming atmosphere.
“I have always wanted to work with people utilizing a therapy animal, and I am very excited about this opportunity,” said Schmelzer. “Dogs are compassionate and accepting; they always seem to understand when someone needs just a little more support. I hope having Beau alongside me will bring fun, kindness and emotional support, so patients and staff feel calmer and more secure. Therapy dogs also help with loneliness, improve mood and outlook, as well as enhance socialization for both patients and the staff, creating a more comforting hospital environment.”
Therapy animals have long been shown to offer meaningful health benefits in clinical settings. Research has demonstrated that spending time around animals can raise levels of oxytocin – the body’s “feel-good” hormone – while also lowering the stress hormone cortisol. These effects can help reduce anxiety, ease feelings of isolation, and contribute to an overall sense of well-being for patients and caregivers alike. By bringing a gentle, nonjudgmental presence into hospital spaces, therapy dogs like Beau can help create a calmer, more emotionally supportive environment that complements traditional medical care.
Beau’s presence at SRMC reflects the hospital’s ongoing commitment to holistic care, recognizing that emotional well-being plays an important role in the healing process.