Metaxa Hospital in Piraeus has welcomed Dylan, the first therapy dog to become a permanent part of a public hospital in Greece’s National Health System (ESY), according to tovima.com
Dylan officially began his role on May 12, coinciding with World Nurses Day, a date chosen to recognize the dedication and compassion of healthcare workers. Handled by hospital administrator Sarantos Efstathopoulos, Dylan is the first officially integrated visiting therapy dog within the Greek public healthcare system.
The therapy dog will work with oncology patients in the hospital’s Day Care Unit, helping provide emotional support and comfort during treatment. Hospital staff say Dylan’s presence brings calmness, warmth and psychological relief to patients and their families.
The initiative is part of the “Companions with Tails” program, launched in 2025 through a collaboration between Dog Therapy and Win Cancer. The program was created by Efstathopoulos and has already received positive feedback from patients, healthcare workers and visitors.
Dylan joins another therapy dog, Vangelis, who continues to visit the hospital every Wednesday. During the first stage of the program, Dylan will visit twice weekly, alternating between Monday–Tuesday and Thursday–Friday shifts to reach more patients.
Hospital officials emphasized that the initiative operates entirely without cost to Greece’s National Health System, demonstrating how volunteer-led partnerships can introduce innovative and human-centered care into public hospitals.
Source: tovima.com
