Meet Rigby
Category: Therapy Dog
Hometown: Tuxedo Park, New York
Breed: Golden Retriever
Age: 7
Superpower: Lifting spirits.
Meet Rigby
Rigby embodies the true spirit of a therapy dog, offering unwavering love and comfort to everyone she meets. She has faithfully served in the Paws for Patients program at the Children’s Hospital of New York Presbyterian Hospital-Columbia University Medical Center for six years. Every Sunday, Rigby brings hope and joy to patients, families and staff—lifting spirits with her gentle presence. Rigby can elicit a smile from a sad child in a hospital bed or motivate another to walk when physical therapists weren’t able to. Her remarkable ability to brighten even the darkest moments makes her a daily hero.
What moment best shows Rigby’s heroism?
During a visit with a child undergoing difficult treatments, Rigby’s calm presence and affection lifted the child’s pain and discomfort into joy and laughter. Witnessing that shift brought tears of relief and happiness to the family—showing how Rigby’s gift of comfort makes her a true hero.
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