Trauma Nurses are routinely confronted with secondary trauma and hectic work conditions. Several studies report a high prevalence of anxiety, depression, somatic complaints, and fatigue due to repetitive exposure to work-related traumatic incidents.
Animal Assisted Activities (AAA) have shown to improve morale by promoting comfort and emotional support after traumatic events. Additionally, AAA has shown to combat compassion fatigue or “burn-out” among healthcare personnel. For patients, they can reduce anxiety, provide comfort, build trust, and help with feelings of isolation and PTSD symptoms.
In 2020, an Animal Assisted Activity program was launched at Riverside Community Hospital (RCH) during the height of the COVID-19 pandemic. The program was developed to provide staff with an outlet to reduce stress and depression experienced after a traumatic event. Little did we know the impact it would have on our trauma patients.
Tipper (Trauma Injury Prevention Puppy Emergency Response) known as the “Trauma Dog” was adopted from a shelter and went through training for obedience and manners, but her real skills are what we call her “Dog’s Purpose”. Tipper naturally has a gentle way about her as soon as she enters the hospital. She knows what her job is and she brings smiles wherever she goes.
As a Trauma Survivors Network Coordinator, it can be difficult stepping into a patient’s room for the first time. When Tipper enters the room, faces light up and there seems to be an instant connection. Often our trauma patients have lines and tubes, and sensitive monitoring equipment and Tipper will gently lay her paw on the bed so the patients can touch her. She loves to get up in a chair at the bedside next to the patient, making it easier for the patients to engage with her. Many trauma patients have their own dogs at home that they are missing, and Tipper can temporarily fill that void.
For some trauma patients Tipper has even traveled to their rehab facilities to check on them after discharge from the hospital. She is also a favorite at our TSN events such as the Race to Rebuild and our Trauma Survivors Day events.
Tipper has a large following on her Facebook and Instagram pages and provides staff and patients with a much-needed emotional outlet. She has a closet full of outfits that she wears for holiday occasions. She might see her dressed as an elf or wearing bunny ears and delivering Easter goodies. When her busy schedule allows, Tipper joins the Trauma Team on daily rounds to spread her positive energy to promote emotional wellness.
She has been featured on the local news stations, participated in online interviews, made a guest appearance at a Trauma Conference and is featured on the cover of the 2026 RCH Pet Calendar, but don’t worry, it never goes to her head, she’s still a regular dog at the end of the day when she gets home.
About the Author: Wendy McEuen
Wendy McEuen, DNP, MSN, RN, CEN, TCRN, has been a registered nurse at Riverside Community Hospital since 2004. Her nursing background spans the emergency, education, and the trauma departments. Starting as the hospital’s first Injury Prevention Professional in 2016, she has worked to form partnerships with local community groups to enhance and facilitate her IP programs. In addition to the IP role, Wendy also implemented and facilitates the Trauma Survivors Network Program at her hospital. She adopted and trained Tipper the Trauma Dog, the Trauma Department’s therapy dog who comforts and brings joy to staff and patients.