Animal Planet Talk About Puppy Power Skip to main content Close Select your preferred language English عربى 简体中文 繁體中文 فارسي עִברִית 日本語 한국어 Русский Español Tagalog Menu Close Call 1-800-CEDARS-1 toggle search form Close Los Angeles, 20 December 2019 06:00 AM America/Los_Angeles Animal Planet Talk About Puppy Power Maureen Chin, MSN, RN, CPN, associate nursing director of Pediatric Services and her dog, Marley, on a hike between patient visits. Photo by Cedars-Sinai. Animal Planet recently featured Cedars-Sinai volunteer and employee Maureen Chin, MSN, RN, CPN, associate nursing director of Pediatric Services and her dog Marley, highlighting how therapy dogs can help decrease a patient's pain and simultaneously brighten their spirits. Chin and Marley, an Irish Wolfhound and Poodle mix, volunteer their time and services with the Pets Offering Ongoing Care & Healing (POOCH) volunteer program at Cedars-Sinai. POOCH program dogs and their owners provide a wide range of services throughout the medical center, offering heartwarming and supportive experiences to patients, visitors and staff members. Marley became a volunteer three years ago and is one of 35 dogs enrolled in the POOCH program. "When Maureen and Marley joined our team, we were so excited to have a skilled nurse who understands the value of pet therapy and its effects on patients," said Jessica Maceda, program administrator of Volunteer Services. "In the past, we received a request for visit for a patient who is end of life. Maureen and Marley stepped up and were able to provide this type of comfort for patient and their family which is a valuable gift." Chin rescued Marley when he was seven months old and recalls the moment they first met. "The moment Marley came out of the gate where we were sitting to meet us, he jumped up on me and started kissing me," said Chin. "He was so giving; I knew that this had to be my dog." Each week, Marley brings his jolly demeanor to patients at Cedars-Sinai, offering a welcome change for many people facing serious illnesses and conditions. "Having a surprise of a dog coming to visit a child in the hospital when they're not expecting it, changes the whole mood in the room," said Chin. "They're not thinking about why they are here; they're more thinking about in the moment of here I am with this dog." Chin also believes Marley has another special gift-being able to tailor his energy to whomever he is meeting. "He knows how to give love to everyone in the room," said Chin. As a nurse, Chin understands the value this love can bring to patients, going far beyond a smile and quick visit. "There is actually research to show that having pet therapy has reduced pain medication," said Chin. "I've spoken to nurses after their patient had a visit with a pet, and they say it was the first time the patient smiled in two days." Watch the clip on the Animal Planet's Twitter page. Read more on the Cedars-Sinai blog: The Health Benefits of Pet Ownership Related Stories RSS feed - Related Stories (opens in new window) View all headlines - Related Stories Help Wanted Heart—Not Experience—Required September 20, 2022 07:30 AM America/Los_Angeles As the COVID-19 pandemic eases, many people are going back: back to work, back to school, back to normal lives.But one group that hasn’t gone back is the volunteers. Across the U.S., volunteer activity remains low, even as charitable giving has … Read more Even During Pandemic Volunteers Bring Comfort April 20, 2021 06:13 AM America/Los_Angeles The Ruth and Harry Roman Emergency Department at Cedars-Sinai sees more than 85,000 patients each year. Among the first to greet those patients and their loved ones–even during the coronavirus pandemic–are Cedars-Sinai’s blue-coated volunteers, who … Read more Cedars-Sinai Volunteer Delivers Hugs and Crocheted Hearts February 12, 2020 06:00 AM America/Los_Angeles Around Cedars-Sinai, Susan Nicholson is known simply as "the heart lady." That's because since 2013 Nicholson has been making and delivering roughly 50 crocheted hearts each week to patients, visitors and employees—anyone who looks … Read more Show previous items Show next items Contact the Media Team Email: [email protected] Share this release Animal Planet Talk About Puppy Power Share on: Twitter Share on: Facebook Share on: LinkedIn Search Our Newsroom Social media Visit our Facebook page (opens in new window) Follow us on Twitter (opens in new window) Visit our Youtube profile (opens in new window) (opens in new window) Latest news 07 Oct 2022 - HealthDay: Black Women Less Likely to Get Laparoscopic Fibroid Surgeries 07 Oct 2022 - Faculty Publications: Sept. 29-Oct. 6 07 Oct 2022 - Fine-Tuning Organ-Chip Technology 06 Oct 2022 - KCRW: Want New Omicron Booster? Wait at Least 2 Months After Last Shot 05 Oct 2022 - Cedars-Sinai Schedules Free Flu Vaccine Clinics 04 Oct 2022 - Cedars-Sinai Showcases Hispanic and Latinx Art Newsroom Home