Happy Valentine’s Day! Just in time for the holiday, the Dunkin’ Joy in Childhood Foundation has delivered a special valentine to Worcester, MA. On Friday, February 12, UMass Memorial Children’s Medical Center welcomed their newest four-legged staff member, a two-year-old Golden Retriever and Labrador mix named Valentina, thanks to the Foundation’s Dogs for Joy program.
Through the Dogs for Joy program, the Dunkin’ Joy in Childhood Foundation has granted more than 15 full-time pediatric service dogs to over a dozen children’s hospitals across the country. These highly specialized dogs are full-time in-residence service providers, who help ease anxiety and reduce stress for young patients and their families. The Foundation’s goal is to dramatically increase the number of in-residence dog working in children’s hospitals around the country and the prevalence of animal-assisted therapy as part of treatment.
Valentina joins the team through a $171,000 donation from the Dunkin’ Joy in Childhood Foundation to UMass Memorial Medical Center extending over three years, covering costs related to Valentina’s adoption, care, and day-to-day work at the hospital.
To celebrate the spirit of the holiday and welcome Valentina, Dunkin’ was onsite this past Friday to keep UMass Memorial Medical Center staff and caregivers running with free coffee and MUNCHKINS® Donut Hole Treats. The Children’s Medical Center patients were also given a sweet surprise, with Valentine’s Day inspired donut decorating activities in the afternoon.
In addition to the Foundation’s contribution, on February 12, local Dunkin’ business owners donated $1 from every Extra Charged Coffee sold to The Joy in Childhood Foundation to support Valentina at UMass Memorial Medical Center.*
To learn more about the Dunkin’ Joy in Childhood Foundation’s Dogs for Joy program please visit www.bringjoy.org and follow on Facebook or Instagram.
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*Donations made by Dunkin’ Franchise owners. Valid at participating Worcester locations only. ©2021 DD IP Holder LLC