He is 12 weeks old, impossibly fluffy, and he is already on the payroll.
AdventHealth Redmond introduced Winston this week — a goldendoodle puppy who is joining the AdventHealth Georgia EMS team as a therapy dog in training. And yes, healthcare is literally in his blood. Winston’s father serves as the Chief Barking Officer at AdventHealth Wesley Chapel in Florida, so you could say this pup was born for the job.
Winston’s role will be to bring comfort, encouragement, and connection to the paramedics and EMS crew members who spend their days caring for others — often in the most difficult and high-pressure moments imaginable. As he grows into his role, he will also attend educational and community events alongside AdventHealth Georgia EMS crews, bringing a little calm and a lot of joy to everyone he meets.
His handlers will be AdventHealth Georgia EMS paramedics Jodie Johnston and Jennifer Logan, who will guide and support him throughout his training journey.
The timing of Winston’s introduction during EMS Week was no coincidence. It serves as a reminder that caring for others has to include caring for the people doing the caring — and sometimes the best medicine has four legs and a wagging tail.
All costs associated with Winston’s training and care will be covered through the generosity of the AdventHealth Georgia Foundation Board, meaning this program comes at no cost to the community it serves.
Welcome to the team, Winston. Northwest Georgia is lucky to have you.
Photo credit: AdventHealth Redmond
