03/02/2026
Spreading "pawsitive" vibes! 🐾 We had the pleasure of joining therapy dog extraordinaire Blitz and his amazing handler, Jeff Nelson, as they spread joy and comfort at the hospital last week. Since 2023, Blitz has been capturing the hearts (and earning countless pets!) of our team, including our first responders, during their weekly visits.
As Jeff, former coach and a longtime member of the Corning Volunteer Fire Department, shared: "Blitz and I enjoy visiting other First Responders. We’ve made regular visits to police and fire stations, dispatch centers, fire camps, and the hospital ER to introduce ourselves and provide comfort. Since retiring, the fact that I can do this for my community gives me a great sense of purpose.”
Alyssa Reynolds, RN at St. Elizabeth's, added, "I love Blitz and he’s very important to our team, especially in the ER. There are even times when we call Jeff and request for him to bring Blitz down.” Pulling double duty as a certified therapy and service dog, Blitz's specialty lies in working with First Responders. He's also proudly listed as a Critical Incident Stress K9 in the state of California!
A huge thank you to Jeff and Blitz for their incredible work! Helping the helpers helps us all. ❤️