Pennsylvania Hospital frequently opens up its doors to the community, whether by inviting visitors to take a historic tour or offering local organizations the chance to connect with staff during annual events like Diversity Day. But it is always particularly special when a specific group of locals swing by — a group of four-legged locals.
Since 2016, Morris Animal Refuge has collaborated with PAH’s Care for the Care Provider program on the Paws for Pennsy initiative. Based in central Philadelphia, Morris Animal Refuge is America’s oldest animal shelter — a fitting ally for the nation’s first hospital — and is committed to never turning any animal away. Throughout the year, volunteers from shelter visit PAH with a handful of adorable cats and dogs that are available for adoption. While these furry friends aren’t official pet therapy providers, they undoubtedly brighten up the days of anyone they cuddle up to.
“Health care can be challenging, and it’s important for employees to have a positive outlet for stress relief,” said Marialaina Scafidi, director of Graduate Medical Education and Academic Affairs at PAH. “The Paws for Pennsy animals visit two or three times each year during events like Penn Medicine Experience Week, and our staff are always so excited to see them. During these events, we also hold raffles and donate the proceeds to the shelter to support their efforts to find these animals loving homes.”
Every quarter, PAH also designates a charity to donate to, and last month, Morris Animal Refuge was chosen. Scafidi personally delivered a $450 check to the shelter, which could provide food and litter to nine cats for a month, spay and neuter four animals, or even cover the intake cost of an entire litter of puppies.