Redwood City, Santa Clara, San Jose, S. San Francisco

Who let the dogs in?

Kaiser Permanente has partnered with the Peninsula Humane Society to bring certified therapy dogs­ Cody, Molly, London, Bo, Jeremy, and Scooter to our Redwood City Medical Center.

“Having a pet visit can be the highlight of a patient’s day,” says Berta Greenlee, Kaiser Permanente’s Care Experience leader for Redwood City and South San Francisco.

The dogs are bathed and groomed before visiting the hospital, and each wears a photo ID tag. Their handlers, Mike Gonzales, Linde Mead, and Carol Lind, have completed the same training program as our medical center volunteers.

“When the dogs come into a patient’s room, they’re on their best behavior,” says Greenlee. “They’re social and friendly, and they remind patients of their own pets. It gives them something to think about and talk about besides their illness.”

To request a visit for a hospitalized friend or family member, talk to his or her nurse or social worker. Our Santa Clara Medical Center also has a therapy dog program.

Learn how pets can help your health. You can find out more about volunteering with pets online or by calling 650-340-8200.

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You belong to an award-winning health plan

The nonprofit Leapfrog Group*, which compares hospital performances, named 16 Kaiser Permanente medical centers in California to its 65-member national top hospital list. This elite group was selected from more than 1,200 hospitals nationwide.

Here are 10 medical centers in your area that made it on the list:

• Antioch
• Oakland
• Richmond
• Roseville
• San Francisco
• San Jose
• San Rafael
• Santa Clara
• South San Francisco
• Walnut Creek

Learn more about Kaiser Permanente’s commitment to quality care.

*Kaiser Permanente is not responsible for the content or policies of external Internet sites.

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