Meet Nana!

Nana just celebrated her 3rd Birthday! We hope she gets tons of treats and toys!

Nana is Yale New Haven Children’s Hospital’s first in-residence dog, made possible through a generous grant from the Dunkin’ Joy in Childhood Foundation. The Dogs for Joy program provided funding for the launch and maintenance of the new dog program which included Nana’s adoption, training of select staff, dog food, dog grooming needs, dog toys, and more.

As an in-residence dog, Nana is considered a full-time employee and even has her own badge! She comes to work every day with her handler and offers distraction, motivation and joy to patients and families. She can help lower stress and anxiety for pediatric patients and encourage them to complete their health care goals. Nana can be trained to do incredible things like keep kids calm during medical interventions, teach them how to take a pill ormodel how to put on a hospital gown. She can even encourage our pediatric patients to get out of bed by lifting their spirits.

For children and families being cared for in the hospital, sometimes the best medicine and moments of joy can come with four paws, a wet nose, and a wagging tail.

Nana at Yale New Haven Children’s Hospital

Please consider a gift to the Yale New Haven Children’s Hospital Dogs in Residence Program. Thank you!