The “Metaxa” Hospital in Piraeus welcomed a quiet but historic addition on Tuesday, May 12: Dylan, the first therapy dog to become a permanent presence in a public hospital within Greece’s National Health System (ESY). His debut was symbolically timed with World Nurses Day, honoring healthcare professionals for their daily compassion and dedication.
Dylan is the first officially integrated visiting therapy dog in the system, and he is handled by hospital administrator Sarantos Efstathopoulos, reflecting a pioneering institutional effort to embed animal-assisted care into clinical practice.
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In his new role at Metaxa Hospital, Dylan will spend time with oncology patients in the Day Care Unit, offering emotional support, comfort, and moments of relief through human–animal interaction. Hospital officials describe his presence as a source of calm, warmth, and psychological relief for patients undergoing demanding treatments.
The initiative is part of the “Companions with Tails” program, which was conceived by Efstathopoulos and launched in 2025 in collaboration with Dog Therapy and supported by Win Cancer. The program has already completed its first year of operation since its launch on April 14, 2025, and has been warmly embraced by patients, families, and healthcare staff.
Dylan joins fellow therapy dog “Vangelis,” who continues weekly Wednesday visits. During his initial phase, Dylan will visit twice a week—alternating between Monday–Tuesday and Thursday–Friday—ensuring broad patient access to therapy dog support.
Importantly, the program operates at no financial cost to the National Health System, highlighting how volunteer-driven, collaborative initiatives can deliver meaningful, human-centered innovation in public healthcare.
