Pet Therapy
Hassenfeld has partnered with the non-profit organization The Good Dog Foundation to provide pet therapy to patients and family members on a weekly basis.
The Hassenfeld Center partners with The Good Dog Foundation because all pet therapy teams (an adult and animal volunteer team) complete thorough professional training, earn certification, and are supervised.
Pet therapy offers patients and family members an incredibly rich therapeutic and healing experience. Visiting with a trained pet therapy dog helps children and adults alike relax, feel calmer, and express their feelings.
Through pet therapy Hassenfeld patients are lucky to experience the joy of a human-animal bond with a very experienced pet therapy team.
About Rocco
Hassenfeld pet therapy dog Rocco completed his educational training to be a service dog through New York City's Good Dog Foundation.
Rocco was an apprentice to Hassenfeld's first pet therapy dog Bobby Blue, his older brother and mentor.
During his training Rocco proved to be an able student with a sharp intellect and a special knack for working as a pet therapy dog.
He surprised everyone by outperforming a class of his peers to graduate unexpectedly early. In fact, Rocco is the youngest student to ever have graduated from the Good Dog Foundation.
As a therapist Rocco approaches his work with a sense of relaxed, optimistic enthusiasm. At the Hassenfeld clinic he communicates his love of nature, his sense of humor, and his gratitude for attention with adults and children alike.
Rocco takes his work responsibilities very seriously, but he is not one to let his work define him. Rocco endeavors to maintain a balance of fun and mischievous adventure in his life. He is a loyal friend and very family-oriented.
Like many New Yorkers, Rocco relates to an immigrant experience. He traces his Samoyed family line to Siberian origins.
Rocco's Russian background and naturally fluffy coat give him unique appreciation for winter outdoors. On cold winter days he can often be found enjoying snowy Central Park or exploring the Connecticut landscape.
