Please Note: The dog in the accompanying photograph is the subject of the story, but any persons shown are probably not those in the story.
Love On 4 Paws therapy dog Cooper and his devoted handler, Cindy, recently made an unforgettable visit to Keck Medicine of USC, where they brought comfort, laughter, and a much-needed break for staff and patients alike. For Cindy, this visit was especially meaningful—it marked her final week before officially retiring after years as a professional nurse at Keck. In the future, she will return not as a healthcare provider, but as a devoted volunteer bringing joy alongside her four-legged companion.
Their visit began on the 9th floor, where they received wonderful news: a patient they had previously visited had been discharged and sent home. But Cooper’s work wasn’t done. The moment he stepped onto the floor, a chorus of excitement erupted from the hospital staff. Nurses, doctors, and therapists—six to eight in total—rushed to greet him, with one even calling out his name. Cooper, ever the professional, wagged his tail enthusiastically, basking in the attention as he made his rounds in the middle of the joyful group.
Staff pulled out their phones to capture Cooper in action as he followed commands with his signature charm. The excitement was contagious—patients took notice, with many requesting visits after seeing or hearing the commotion. One patient, walking by with an IV pole, took in the scene and remarked with a smile, “Oh, now I feel better.”
Even the Chief Clinical Officer of the hospital, in the middle of a phone call, paused to pet Cooper. With a knowing smile, he said, “Well, this really does work!” Moments like these serve as powerful reminders of the healing power of therapy animals.
Cooper and Cindy continued their rounds, bringing the same warmth and enthusiasm to the breast cancer unit, where nurses, doctors, and patients alike lit up at his presence. One surgeon, completely charmed by Cooper, asked with a smile, “Can you bring him every Friday?”
A successful day? Without a doubt. But for Cooper and Cindy, it was just another example of how Love On 4 Paws continues to make a difference, one wagging tail at a time.
