DISCOVER The Child Life and Creative Arts Therapy Department
October 2025
Pediatric Facility Dog, Muffin, Joins the Team A furry new face has joined the Child Life and Creative Arts Therapy Department, and she is already making a big impact. Muffin, a 22-month-old Golden Lab mix, has officially become the hospital's newest facility dog, dedicated to supporting clinical staff on adult oncology units. Muffin recently graduated from a bond-based training program at Canine Assistants in Georgia and has joined us as a full-time employee. With healthcare workers continuing to face high-pressure environments, therapy animals like Muffin are becoming an increasingly valued part of hospital support systems. Muffin is part of the Mount Sinai Paws & Play Care for Clinical Teams program, an innovative initiative within the Child Life and Creative Arts Therapy Department. The program's mission is to provide well-being and resilience opportunities for staff, faculty, and trainees across the hospital's adult areas, with the goal of reducing burnout, stress, and depression in the workplace and positively impacting patient care. Muffin will make weekly rounds at nursing stations, conference rooms, offices and individual units throughout the week, providing a calming presence during long shifts. In a place where we deal with a lot of heavy stuff, she reminds us to breathe, smile, and take a moment for ourselves.
Muffin the Newest Member of the Mount Sinai Facility Dog Team takes a break during her busy day.
Muffin's handlers are art therapists Robin O’Hare, LCAT, ATR-BC, RYT, and Katherine Parker, MA, LCAT, ATR-BC, ATCS. Together, Muffin and her handlers will provide integrative staff wellness support throughout the Mount Sinai Health System using Animal Assisted Therapy, Art Therapy, and Mindfulness interventions. As Muffin settles into her new role, it’s clear she’s more than just a dog, she’s a four-legged lifeline for those who spend their days caring for others.
Bringing Awareness One Creation at a Time Patient Valentina, 5, regularly visits the outpatient clinic for treatment at Mount Sinai Kravis Children’s Hospital. Valentina loves staying engaged in creative arts therapy and child life services during her lengthy appointments, whether that is through art making, music, bingo, or play. During September, the outpatient clinic celebrated Hematology and Oncology Awareness Month through many different opportunities, such as art therapy groups. In collaboration with Chloe Schaeffer, art therapy fellow, Valentina worked alongside group members to create awareness magnets. Valentina made magnets utilizing positive affirmation quotes and gold ribbons. The goal of this intervention was to cultivate a sense of confidence, challenge negative thoughts or feelings, and encourage conversation and processing regarding patient experience and diagnosis within the outpatient community. Overall, these magnets symbolize strength and awareness. Valentina’s magnet read, “I am brave, fearless, bold, and strong. ”Valentina proudly made six powerful and inspiring magnets and was excited to bring them home to continue to spread awareness. Moments like this create space for challenging and vulnerable experiences to be shared while cultivating a sense of hope, connection, and inspiration.
Patient Valentina works alongside group members to create awareness month magnets. LB 2019
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