Catherine became a member of the PAWSitive Therapy Troupe in 2022. Her canine partner is Lila, a Cavalier King Charles Spaniel. Catherine and Lila have been volunteers at a variety of facilities that the Troupe visits. Their favorite visit is at the Stritch School of Medicine at Loyola, where Lila brings some much-needed stress relief to faculty, students and staff. They also bring smiles and comfort to patients and health care staff at Loyola University Medical Center. Catherine and Lila have enjoyed working with children in “Read With Me” programs at local libraries. And they were thrilled to be one of the therapy dog teams invited to visit the Chicago Bears at Halas Hall last October!

Here is what Catherine has to say about Lila and her PAWSItive Therapy Troupe experiences:

“Lila’s favorite place to visit is Loyola University Chicago Stritch School of Medicine. Since I work there, she comes to work with me once a month and she gets to visit with the students, faculty and staff at the medical, nursing and graduate schools and then she sleeps on my desk the rest of the day while I finish work. We also loved visiting with the Chicago Bears last fall, since we’re both Bears fans.

Lila is such a special dog. She has never met a person or animal she doesn’t like. She’s loves going anywhere with me (therapy visits, Home Depot, the garden center…even church!). She’s spunky and isn’t afraid of anything…despite how tiny she is. Lila and I also do agility and are starting to compete. She loves to play fetch, play with my other dogs, watch TV (she’s enthralled by all animals on TV) and cuddle. Her favorite thing is spending time with me, no matter what I’m doing. She’s my heart dog, and I love that I get to share her with so many other people."

On behalf of all of us in the PAWSitive Therapy Troupe, thank YOU Catherine and Lila for your devoted service the past two years!