Volunteer Q&A: Mary and Therapy Dog Kyrie

April 11 is National Pet Day, and we’re excited to highlight one of our incredible Craig Hospital volunteers, Mary and her therapy dog, Kyrie. Mary and Kyrie are a part of Craig’s Animal-Assisted Intervention Program, which pairs animal volunteers – and their human partners – with patients to support rehabilitation goals.

Beyond offering comfort and joy, Craig Hospital’s therapy dogs play a key role in recovery. They help patients improve speech, balance, motor skills, attention and more. These interactions not only spark smiles but can produce real therapeutic breakthroughs.

Can you introduce yourself and tell us a little about Kyrie? My name is Mary, and I work in the satellite industry. Kyrie is a young 11-year-old Golden Retriever/Border Collie mix. When I adopted her, I knew right away that she had the perfect demeanor to be a therapy dog. I enrolled her in 18 weeks of training, and after she completed the program, I reached out to Craig. Lori made a spot for us to begin visiting patients, and the rest is history.

How long have you and Kyrie been volunteering at Craig Hospital?
We’ve been volunteering at Craig for seven and a half years.

What inspired you to get involved with therapy dog work?
I first became aware of Craig Hospital years ago when a friend of mine was in a car accident and stayed at Craig for three months. Seeing the care and dedication from the staff inspired me to give back. I had a previous therapy dog that visited a head injury facility, and from that experience, I knew Kyrie would be a great fit at Craig.

How would you describe Kyrie’s personality in three words?
Caring, loving and spunky.

What’s Kyrie’s favorite treat or toy?
While she has two baskets full of toys, her favorites include a small red squeaky donut-shaped toy and a soft, cloth peppermint-shaped toy.

Does Kyrie have any cute quirks or funny habits that people love?
Absolutely! When we first arrive at Craig, if she sees someone down the hallway, she lets out a big howl as if to say, “I’m here – time to pet me and give me a treat!” She also loves to tuck her head into people’s laps so they can shower her with affection.

What does a typical visit to Craig look like for you and Kyrie?
What we love most is that no visit is ever quite the same. Each week brings something new. We usually start on the fourth floor and make our way down, meeting different people along the way. We always leave feeling grateful for the connections we’ve made.

Do you have a favorite memory of a patient or staff member interacting with Kyrie?
Oh yes, and I tear up every time I think about it. Years ago, we visited a young woman. When we first met her, she couldn’t speak, walk or respond. Kyrie gently placed her paws on her lap and snuck up to give her a kiss on the cheek. That’s when we saw it: she smiled. Her father, who was recording the moment with tears in his eyes, told me it was the first time she’d shown any expression since her accident. Over time, she began speaking again – starting with Kyrie’s name – and eventually walking. Seeing her years later, walking on her own, was nothing short of a miracle. Her family still remembers Kyrie as the one who first reached her. That memory stays close to my heart.

How do you see Kyrie making a difference in the lives of patients and staff?
Every visit, I see Kyrie make a difference. Patients often tell us that seeing her made their day better. For just a few minutes, they forget about their injuries and simply enjoy the moment. Staff, too, benefit from her visits – they stop to pet her, smile and share a moment of calm. Kyrie has a special sense for knowing which hand or fingers are weaker in a patient – she’ll nudge them, encouraging movement. That’s not something I trained her to do – it’s just who she is.

Learn how you can support Craig’s donor-funded Animal-Assisted Intervention Program here.