Amid wags and kisses, therapy dog Millie retires from service

By Carol McPhail
cmcphail@health.southalabama.edu

Millie, the beloved Labrador Retriever who has served as a therapy dog at University Hospital, has retired after more than five years of service.

Morris King, Millie’s handler, announced her retirement in February. “Although Millie still has the heart and soul to serve, the physical demands of her work through the years have really slowed her down,” King wrote. “She will be 9 years old on March 27, and it’s time.”

At a retirement party in Millie’s honor on Feb. 28, the pup posed for photos, offering dog kisses and even wearing a tiara as well-wishers stopped by to celebrate her and write notes of thanks on a framed photo.

Born March 27, 2016, Millie began her work as a therapy dog in April 2019 at University Hospital with King by her side. Since that time, her presence has been a mainstay at many hospital events and a calming presence at many bedsides, leading to her being recognized at USA Health’s signature event, A Night Honoring Healers.

There are plenty of Millie stories. On days when she arrived to work at the hospital’s emergency department, staff would make an overhead announcement – an unofficial “Millie alert.” There were also moments when she demonstrated a special talent for connecting with patients at the end of life.

“She is really good at bringing calm in the storm,” King wrote. “I truly believe that God has his hand on this little dog and a Higher Power goes to work when Millie shows up on the scene.”

Ashley Peyer, volunteer services manager at University Hospital, said Millie instinctively knows what to do in a patient’s room. “She’ll either get in the chair or hop up on the bed. Where a patient may have anxiety, they tend to calm down a little bit. Their vital signs change,” Peyer said. “Millie has had a really big impact.”

View photos from the retirement party.