Today is National Dog Day and the Dunkin’ Joy in Childhood Foundation is celebrating its Dogs for Joy program and the invaluable role these in-residence therapy dogs play in bringing joy to kids in children’s hospitals nationwide!

Throughout today, the Foundation, alongside its partner children’s hospitals, are hosting Puppy Parties for our favorite four-legged doctors. To help keep them running on Dunkin’, the Foundation is also surprising these puppy pediatricians with doggie bags, including fun bowls, tennis balls, bandanas and doggie donut treats!

The Dogs for Joy program places highly specialized in-residence service dogs as full-time members of children’s hospital care teams. Trained to help with tasks like teaching kids how to take medication, keeping a child calm during medical intervention and providing incentives for kids to get out of bed for a walk, these dogs serve as a source of happiness and provide a sense of normalcy for patients.

Since 2018, the Dunkin’ Joy in Childhood Foundation’s Dogs for Joy Program has granted 33 full-time pediatric service dogs to 18 children’s hospitals across the country.

For more information on the Dunkin’ Joy in Childhood Foundation’s Dogs for Joy program and how healthcare providers can apply to receive granting for an in-residence dog, visit www.bringjoy.org or follow us on Facebook and Instagram.