The Temple Tails program is a staff favorite: not only does it bring in service dogs to help team members relax and de-stress, but it also hosts adoption events with local animal rescues.
Until recently, most of those events took place at TUH-Main Campus—but Heather Matthew, RN, who helps run Temple Tails alongside Main Campus’ Office of Patient Experience, has been working with staff partners at other Temple Health hospitals to bring rescue dogs there.
That includes Temple Health-Chestnut Hill Hospital—and TUH-Episcopal Campus, which recently held its first-ever Temple Tails adoption event.
“We’ve always wanted to host Temple Tails, because it’s just so amazing,” says Performance Excellence Project Manager Michele Agozzino, who worked with Mathew to organize Episcopal’s event. “Heather has all the connections with local rescues, and she was able to bring Morris Animal Refuge here. We’re hoping to work with even more rescues for our next event!”
Matthew also brought three puppies—born to a dog she and her partner rescued from an abandoned building. While she had already found homes for all three, staff members loved cuddling with them.
“Everyone was just in love,” Agozzino says. “It was so nice to spend time with all the dogs, whether we could adopt them or not. We all wanted to hold and play with them. It made everyone’s day.”
And while Matthew’s puppies weren’t adoptable, the rest of the dogs were—which is why everyone was so thrilled when an Episcopal team member applied to adopt one particular furry friend.
“She really bonded with that dog,” Matthew says. “We’ve had a ton of adoptions through Temple Tails over the years. Any dog that can find a home, any day, is a success.”
These events are also an opportunity for Temple Health to support local animal rescues doing essential work in the community.
“Temple Health always donates to each participating rescue,” Agozzino shares. “Spending time with the dogs is so special for us, and we want to do something meaningful for them.”
