THERAPY DOGS CELEBRATE RETIREMENT FROM HOSPITAL WITH A GRAND FAREWELL PARTY

Two therapy service dogs at an Ohio hospital were honored with a heartfelt farewell party after nearly a decade of service to children.

Leica and Chevy, 10-year-old golden retriever/lab/poodle mixes and graduates of Canine Assistants, a non-profit organization that trains service dogs, said their goodbyes to their roles at Cincinnati Children’s Hospital on February 5. The event was filled with affection, with staff members, guests, and even local media all offering cuddles and kisses.

Leica’s handler, Kerri Birkett, a Child Life Specialist at Cincinnati Children’s, shared with USA TODAY that she was deeply moved by the outpouring of love the dogs received at their sendoff.

“So many staff members shared how much the dogs had impacted their time here,” Birkett said. “The farewell was a chance for everyone to come in and see the dogs one last time, to say goodbye to something that had been such a big part of their work life.” She added that many staff even invited the kids who were able to, to come out and say hi to the dogs.

“It was truly special to see the staff take that moment to wrap up their experience with the dogs,” Birkett said.

‘It’s just like chaos’

While the party was an emotional one for the humans, Cincinnati Children’s spokesperson Eric DeFreeuw told USA TODAY the two pooches had a blast.

“(Whenever) they get together, it’s just like chaos,” DeFreeuw laughed. “They’re not siblings but they seem like they are because they’re just running and tumbling over each other.”

DeFreeuw explained that while Chevy and Leica didn’t often work together due to their separate roles, whenever they did get the chance to meet, it was a sight to behold. “It’s so funny watching them,” she said. “They’re just having their own little party, running around, doing their own thing—it’s like they’re in their own happy place.”

Serving patients since 2016

Leica arrived at Cincinnati Children’s in February 2016, at just a year and a half old, followed by Chevy, named after actor Chevy Chase, in November 2016. Leica primarily worked with the outpatient and adaptive care team, while Chevy focused on the inpatient units at the hospital’s Burnet Campus.

Chevy’s handler and Child Life Specialist, Katie Bradford, shared with USA TODAY that Chevy provided comfort to children across all care levels, from those in intensive care to those staying for short visits.

“We followed kids throughout their entire hospital stay, regardless of the unit, to build relationships and trust—especially with long-term or critically ill patients,” Bradford explained. “It was truly rewarding to bring some sense of normalcy to an environment that’s far from ordinary, offering comfort and joy in moments that are physically painful, mentally draining, and deeply emotional.”

Life after retirement

After their long and dedicated careers, both Chevy and Leica are ready to relax and enjoy their well-earned retirement, according to their handlers. Leica officially retired in December 2024, while Chevy retired this month.

“I’m excited to spend a lot of one-on-one time with her,” Birkett shared.

Birkett mentioned that while Leica has a sassy personality and loves being the center of attention, she’s looking forward “to almost going back to when we first met, spending time with her, and making her last years as comfortable and enjoyable as she wants them to be.”

Leica’s favorite activities include spending time with her family, going on long walks, playing with her favorite squeaky balls, and enjoying plenty of nap and cuddle time.

Chevy, too, hopes to do the same during retirement.

“He’s at a point where, unfortunately, he’s not able to keep the pace of going to work and engaging as much as he used to,” Bradford said. “So, he’s going to be getting lots of pets from people he loves the most, spending a lot of time in the backyard and taking a lot of naps.”

Chevy’s favorite things include belly rubs, booty scratches, and showing off his beloved stuffed animals.

“It’s been such a rewarding experience,” Bradford said of Chevy’s time at the hospital. “It’s amazing to hear so many people say that Chevy was the one thing they remember from their time in the hospital, even though I didn’t realize how much of an impact it had. For me, it was just a brief moment in my day, but for them, it really stood out.”

“We’ve been doing this for almost nine years now, and seeing the massive impact has been incredible,” she added.

However, Leica and Chevy will still be around to spread warmth and cheer with Leica planning to serve the health system as an ambassador, making visits for special events and fundraising activities, and Chevy hoping to visit his friends from time to time as an official ambassador.