CHRISTUS Health Welcomes New Facility Dog to Westover Hills Campus on National Therapy Animal Day
SAN ANTONIO, TX (April 30, 2025) — CHRISTUS Santa Rosa Hospital – Westover Hills celebrated National Therapy Animal Day with the arrival of a new four-legged caregiver. Broadway, a professionally trained facility dog, has officially joined the hospital’s pastoral care team alongside Chaplain Julie Harris to provide comfort, emotional support, and spiritual care to patients, families, and hospital associates.
The introduction of Broadway marks a significant step in CHRISTUS Health’s commitment to holistic healing and compassionate care. With National Therapy Animal Day recognizing animals who work alongside humans to bring healing and happiness, today’s announcement couldn’t have come at a better time.
“Broadway and I are so thrilled to join the CHRISTUS family,” said Harris. “We look forward to connecting with patients, their families, and our fellow Associates. This program is aimed to bring some normalcy to our patients while they recover in the hospital.”
Facility dogs like Broadway are specially trained to serve multiple roles in a healthcare setting. These include:
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Providing emotional support to patients and their families;
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Reducing anxiety and stress associated with hospitalization;
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Assisting patients in reaching treatment goals, such as encouraging movement or participation in therapy;
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Supporting pain management strategies;
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Boosting morale and easing fatigue among hospital staff;
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Offering unconditional love and companionship during vulnerable moments.
The program was made possible through a generous gift from the John R. and Greli N. Less Charitable Trust, established in 2019 through the will of Greli Less and managed by Frost Bank.
“Among other areas, the trust funds charities that provide for the health, care, and comfort to those in need, as well as animal welfare and animal education,” said Melissa J. Adams, Frost’s senior vice president of philanthropic programs. “As a trustee, Frost recognized a wonderful alignment between these values and the facility dog program at CHRISTUS Santa Rosa Health System.”
Now fully integrated into the hospital team, Chaplain Harris and Broadway are already making meaningful rounds on the Westover Hills campus, brightening hallways and healing hearts.
“It is a joy to see the smiles we’re able to bring,” Harris shared. “We hope to bring peace during what can be an uncertain time.”
About National Therapy Animal Day:
Celebrated annually on April 30, this day honors therapy animals and their handlers for the vital role they play in improving the lives of those they serve.
Viva Broadway – and welcome to San Antonio’s healing family.
