Time spent in a hospital can be stressful for patients and their families — even staff members.

That’s why at St. Luke’s every (therapy) dog has its day.

For almost two decades, St. Luke’s has worked with a team of volunteers who bring therapy dogs to the rooms and hallways of its hospital campuses.

Brad Giesen has been a volunteer since 2006 and he helped launch dog therapy programs at the St. Luke’s hospitals in Nampa and Meridian. Today, dozens of therapy dogs make visits around the health system.

“We have the best jobs in the hospital,” Giesen said. “We see the effects that these dogs have on people all the time. There is nothing better than knocking on the door of a (pediatric patient’s room) and asking if they’d like a visit with a dog. You’ll see their eyes light up and the energy, you just see it in their faces.”