HUNTSVILLE — Ever since Huntsville Hospital announced in December it was expanding the popular “Canines for Coping” facility dog program to Madison Hospital, there has been great anticipation for the therapy dog’s arrival.

After months of intense training, Apple has arrived. A black Labrador, Apple was secured and trained through Service Dogs Alabama.

Apple joins Vivian, Asteroid and Orbit on the therapy dog team at Huntsville Hospital.

Sheryl and Pat Thomason of Madison, whose son, Patrick, unexpectedly died a couple of years ago, made the expansion of the program financially possible in honor of the love he had for dogs.

The Huntsville Hospital Health System has had positive feedback since launching Canines for Coping in 2019 at Huntsville Hospital for Women & Children.

Apple plays fetch and is a hard worker. She is in advanced training, working with her handler 40 hours per week to meet the emotional and medical needs of pediatric and adult patients.

Huntsville Hospital’s Canines for Coping facility dog program and is funded by donations to Huntsville Hospital Foundation.