TAMPA - A therapy dog named Fletcher is learning on the job on AdventHealth Tampa's campus.

"It's just been a dream come true for us," said AdventHealth Regional Director of Clinical Informatics Shirleen Forrester.

The backstory:

Hospital staff have had the desire for a therapy dog for a long time. During COVID, Forrester prepared a seven-slide presentation, filled with tons of information and studies on the benefits of therapy dog interactions, to pitch to executives.

"I didn't even get through the first slide when they said, of course," Forrester said with a smile.

Fletcher, an Australian Labradoodle, was born on July 19, 2024, and joined the hospital staff in September.

MORE PET COVERAGE: Tampa animal rescue overwhelmed with pets abandoned amid immigration departures

Dig d

See Full Page