AdventHealth Parker Therapy Dog of the Month: Cerys

PARKER, Colo. — At AdventHealth Parker, healing often comes in unexpected forms - sometimes with a wagging tail. This month, we’re proud to recognize Laurie Williams and her therapy dog, Cerys, for the comfort and joy they bring to patients, families and team members.

For Laurie, the most rewarding part of volunteering as a therapy team is seeing the immediate impact Cerys has on people.

“Seeing clients smile as they pet Cerys is what keeps us going,” Laurie shared. “We often hear things like ‘Cerys is here!’ from the nurses or ‘This makes my day.’ Those moments mean everything.”

One experience that stands out happened in the Cancer Center waiting room, where Laurie and Cerys regularly end their visits. Over the course of several weeks, they spent time with a patient and his wife as he went through treatment. When the day finally came for him to ring the bell, marking the end of his treatment, the couple asked Laurie and Cerys to stand in the hallway with them to share the moment.

Outside of their therapy visits, Cerys enjoys a happy and active life. She loves long walks, snuggling, playing fetch and taking road trips with her family.

Now 9 years old, Cerys has been working in hospitals since she was just 2. Before moving to Colorado, Laurie and Cerys volunteered with Divine Canines in Austin, Texas, visiting patients in the ICU and ER. On their very first day, after Cerys had visited a patient in the ICU, a nurse rushed into the hallway to find them.

“She told us that the patient had been there for a week and that it was the first time she had seen him smile,” Laurie recalled.

Since moving to Colorado, Laurie and Cerys joined Denver Pet Partners, and AdventHealth Parker has been a perfect place to continue their work bringing comfort to others. They are also certified as an Animal Assisted Crisis Response team, allowing them to support people during especially difficult moments.

Whether offering a quiet moment of comfort or helping celebrate a milestone in someone’s healing journey, Cerys reminds us that sometimes the simplest gestures, like a wagging tail and a gentle nuzzle, can make the biggest difference.

Thank you, Laurie and Cerys, for sharing your time, compassion and joyful spirit with our AdventHealth Parker community.