06/18/2026
West Michigan Therapy Dogs, Inc. visit patients on the second and fourth Wednesday each month to provide a unique read-aloud program called Ruff Readers. Reading aloud to a friendly, nonjudgmental dog can reduce stress about mistakes and peer pressure while building children’s confidence.
Harper, who has been in the hospital for several weeks, welcomed therapy dog Aggie with a smile that lit up the room. At home, Harper is surrounded by animals she loves deeply, and their absence has been one of the hardest parts of her stay. As she read softly with Aggie snuggled up beside her, the hospital room transformed, if only for a moment, into a place that felt familiar and safe. In those quiet moments, Ruff Readers becomes more than a reading program. It becomes a bridge back to the comforts of home.
For Jana, the program carries a similar meaning. Her journey began last November with a visit to the emergency room for a strep throat that quickly turned into pneumonia. During that time, her family learned she had leukemia, and she has been in and out of the hospital ever since. At home, Jana has a beloved dog, Teddy, whose absence she feels every day. During her visit with Aggie, Jana found a sense of connection she’s been missing.
“She misses Teddy so much. It’s one of the hardest parts of being here. When Aggie visits, you can see that same comfort come back. She cherishes her time with Aggie,” said Jason, Jana’s dad.
One gentle visit at a time, they remind patients and families that healing is not only medical. It is emotional, human and sometimes, it arrives on four paws.
