Mission Moment: Northwell’s first staff dog brings healing to Cohen Children’s Medical Center

On their way to the bus stop one morning in early 2025, Beth Doughten noticed her 6-year-old son, Blake, seemed unsteady on his feet, stumbling a few times.

Her energetic boy who loved monster trucks and Led Zeppelin had been complaining about feeling nauseous, too.   

Worried, Beth and her husband, Matt, took Blake to Cohen Children’s Medical Center where tests revealed a cancerous brain tumor that, left untreated, could lead to brain damage or death. After an eight-hour surgery, Blake’s recovery included several weeks of intense monitoring, medications, wound care — and unexpected comfort from a 2-year-old golden retriever/yellow Labrador mix named Dutton.  

The sweet pooch would curl up on Blake’s hospital bed, raising the little boy’s spirits. “It brought this beautiful joy I hadn’t seen since before surgery,” Beth says. “Dutton’s visits were magical moments in such a hard situation.” 

Dutton is part of Tails of Support, a hospital program that enhances the healing process through animal-assisted therapy. Unlike pet therapy dogs who visit the hospital as volunteers, Dutton is a full-time employee of the Child Life and Creative Arts Therapies team and works 40 hours a week alongside his handlers. He spent the first 14 months of his life training to navigate the hospital environment and interact with young patients. 

Spending time with Dutton helped Blake improve mobility and encouraged communication, a significant step for the usually shy boy.  “I liked it when Dutton came to snuggle with me,” says Blake. “I like to give him treats.” 

Since joining the team in September 2024, Dutton has worked with nearly 800 patients and families. His presence helps children reach clinical goals by easing pain and anxiety, reducing time of hospital stays, improving developmental progress and providing end-of-life support.  

“I had a patient who refused to get up and walk after surgery, but when I asked if he wanted to walk Dutton, he immediately said yes,” says Emily Altstadter, child life specialist and Dutton’s primary handler. Faye Brick-Hochheiser, child life senior manager, adds, “A facility dog enhances the work of our child life specialists and brings a therapeutic presence that can help children recover faster.”  

Dutton’s arrival was made possible thanks to a $100,000 grant from the Dunkin’ Joy in Childhood Foundation. Since 2014, the foundation has donated more than $400,000 to fund programs and events at Cohen Children’s, including an upcoming Dunkin’ Prom for teenage patients. 

“Cohen Children’s provides excellent care to meet the unique needs of children, which aligns perfectly with our foundation’s mission to support children battling illnesses that no child should have to face,” says Tara Carson, Dunkin’s field marketing director for the New York region. “Programs like these create opportunities for children to experience joy during challenging times and simply be kids instead of patients.”