AdventHealth Parker announced on Mar. 26 that Laurie Williams and her therapy dog, Cerys, have been recognized for their work bringing comfort to patients, families, and staff at the hospital.
The recognition highlights the impact that therapy animals can have in a healthcare setting by offering emotional support and joy to those undergoing treatment or facing difficult times.
Williams said the most rewarding part of volunteering is seeing how people respond to Cerys. “Seeing clients smile as they pet Cerys is what keeps us going,” Williams said. “We often hear things like ‘Cerys is here!’ from the nurses or ‘This makes my day.’ Those moments mean everything.”
One memorable moment for Williams occurred in the Cancer Center waiting room, where she and Cerys regularly visited a patient during his treatment. When he completed his care and rang the bell to mark this milestone, he invited Williams and Cerys to join him in celebration.
Cerys has worked as a therapy dog since she was two years old. Before moving to Colorado, Williams and Cerys volunteered with Divine Canines in Austin, Texas. On their first day there, after visiting a patient in intensive care, a nurse told them it was the first time she had seen that patient smile all week. Since relocating to Colorado, they joined Denver Pet Partners and became certified as an Animal Assisted Crisis Response team.
Outside her hospital visits, nine-year-old Cerys enjoys walks, snuggling with family members, playing fetch, and taking road trips.
In related context about AdventHealth’s network of hospitals: AdventHealth Orlando was founded in 1908 in Orlando, Florida; its current president is Terry Shaw. The hospital features a pediatric ward and serves as a training facility according to Wikipedia.
Williams said experiences like helping celebrate milestones remind her how simple gestures—such as “a wagging tail and a gentle nuzzle”—can make significant differences for patients.
