08/22/2025
At Catawba Valley Medical Center, care comes in all forms — and sometimes, it has four legs and a wagging tail. Meet Bailey, a four-year-old cream and caramel multi-generational Labradoodle whose gentle spirit and warm presence brighten the days of patients, visitors, and staff alike.
Bailey’s mom, a chocolate F1BB Labradoodle, and her dad, a cream-and-caramel Australian Labradoodle, gave her not only her good looks but also her sweet, calm demeanor. At home, Bailey is full of energy, playing nonstop with her three Labradoodle siblings. But when she puts on her therapy dog harness, she transforms into a caring, focused working dog.
A Calling for Comfort –
Bailey’s handler, Maria Hawkins, knows firsthand how important comfort and connection can be in a healthcare setting. Maria serves as a Family Care Coordinator at CVMC, and she has always enjoyed taking her dogs into public spaces to meet new people — attending festivals, strolling through parks, and visiting local stores. Over time, it became clear that Bailey’s calm and affectionate personality made her a perfect candidate for therapy work.
After completing obedience training, earning her Canine Good Citizen certificate, and becoming certified through Therapy Dog International, Bailey began visiting patients and residents in need of comfort. Today, she spends most of her volunteer time at Catawba Valley Medical Center, making several visits each month. She has also visited nursing homes and hopes to begin visiting schools and the YMCA soon.
Making an Impact, One Paw at a Time –
Every visit brings smiles, but some moments are unforgettable. One day, Bailey met a young military veteran who had been hospitalized for several weeks. He missed his own dog terribly — a pup he had trained to do 40 tricks and had even brought home from Iran. When Bailey walked into his room, his face lit up instantly. She chose him as “her person” for the day, offering extra snuggles, kisses, and tail wags. The connection was so strong that they visited him again before his discharge — a memory that still touches Maria’s heart.
The reactions Bailey receives are often emotional. Patients’ faces light up, and some are moved to tears. For those who have been in the hospital for days or weeks, her visits provide a welcome distraction, a boost of energy, and the motivation to keep going.
A Special Bond –
Bailey loves her volunteer work, though her visits are kept to just a few hours so she doesn’t tire out. On therapy days, she eagerly waits to hear, “Come on, girl, let’s go!” Once at the hospital, she stays focused on Maria, looking for approval and commands as they make their rounds. This shared mission of bringing comfort to others has strengthened the bond between them.
Her signature move during visits? Offering her paw — gently, of course — to patients who want to interact. It’s a simple gesture, but one that sparks joy and connection.
Thinking About Pet Therapy?
Maria has a message for anyone considering it: “Absolutely, do it. It warms my heart so much to bring Bailey here to visit patients and staff. Just to see everyone’s faces light up is the best reward.”
Thanks to therapy animals like Bailey — and dedicated handlers like Maria— Catawba Valley Medical Center continues to create moments of comfort and compassion that go beyond traditional medical care, reminding us all that sometimes, healing starts with a paw and a smile.
Bailey and Maria are part of our volunteer network. Are you interested in learning more about volunteering at CVMC? Visit CatawbaValleyHealth.org/Volunteer.
