Animal Companion Program
The calming effect of pets can be a welcome distraction from your medical care. Trained volunteers can bring a canine friend by your room for a visit. These loveable, huggable dogs are screened and evaluated to ensure they are safe to be around patients, visitors and staff. Many are certified by the Delta Society Pet Partners®, which trains dogs to behave appropriately in hospital settings.
Book & Activity Cart
Our book and activity cart volunteers make the rounds regularly to loan reading materials, games and other free amusements to patients.
Complementary Healing & Spiritual Services
Healing arts and complementary medicine services are often available. Certified Reiki practitioners regularly provide patients gentle, hands-on energy healing techniques. Free relaxation TV and CDs, such as the Continuous Ambient Relaxation Environment Channel on the television in your room, are also available. Members of our Spiritual Care team can also visit to provide spiritual counseling and guidance at your request.
Elder Horizons
We have a team of volunteers who visit and interact with our geriatric (elderly) patients days and evenings.
Heart & Vascular Patient Peer-to-Peer Support
Volunteers who have had experience as cardiology patients volunteers can provide peer-to-peer support to patients about to undergo or recovering from heart surgery and other cardiovascular procedures.
For More Information
Additional volunteer services may be available during your stay or for patients at Smilow Cancer Hospital at Yale-New Haven, Yale-New Haven Children's Hospital or Yale-New Haven Psychiatric Hospital. Contact our Volunteer Services department at 203.688.2297 for complete details or information on how you can get involved and give back too.