Thera-Pup: Meet Henli the Facility Dog

What began as a summer intern’s passion project has become the newest—and fluffiest—addition to Saint Luke’s Rehabilitation Institute. Two years after an intern presented on the clinical and emotional benefits of service animals, the Rehabilitation Institute is delighted to introduce the world to Henli, a highly trained dog with a knack for comfort and connection. 

Henli is a 2-year-old “Goldador,” a cross between Golden Retriever and Labrador Retriever. She’s not your typical therapy dog—she’s a facility dog, one of only a handful trained to work in clinical settings alongside licensed therapists. Following a lengthy application and interview process, Henli matched with the Rehabilitation Institute, where she now works one-on-one with patients to support their recovery from stroke, brain injuries, and other medical conditions. 

Located on the Saint Luke’s South Hospital campus, the Rehabilitation Institute is the region’s only comprehensive inpatient rehab center of its kind, featuring more than 100,000 square feet of clinical space, 17 world-class robotic devices, and an 11,000-square-foot therapy garden. Henli represents the latest step in the Rehabilitation Institute’s ongoing effort to deliver the most innovative and compassionate care.

Paws on the job
Henli’s journey began with Canine Companions, a national leader in providing service dogs to adults, children, and veterans with disabilities, as well as to the health care, criminal justice, and education industries. She spent two years in intensive training, learning basic commands and passing rigorous certifications to work alongside patients and help them reach their speech and mobility goals.

In the two months she’s been at the Rehabilitation Institute, Henli has made herself right at home. She’s managed by Nathan List, PT, and Katie Maloy, OT, who work together to build Henli’s caseload and develop new treatments. Henli’s work is tailored to the needs of each patient. For speech therapy patients recovering from a stroke, giving Henli verbal commands can help build ability and confidence in their speech. Physical therapy patients find relief in a simple game of fetch, as the game can distract from extended periods of standing. Occupational therapy patients may practice grooming or petting Henli to improve their fine motor control and range of motion. Whatever her patients need—Henli’s there to bring joy and comfort into every session.

“Henli brings a level of comfort to these sessions that a human just can’t compete with,” Nathan says. “The way she motivates patients is not just physical—it’s emotional. You see it on their faces the moment she walks into the room.”

The dog days of rehab  
Henli typically works two to four hours a day, seeing six to eight patients in that time. A session usually lasts between 30 and 45 minutes, and no two sessions are ever the same. One patient may be working on mobility, while the next is working on memory or confidence.  

She’s also learning new tricks—literally. During her downtime, Nathan and Katie work with her to develop additional skills that show off Henli’s training and ability. Just in time for the Rehabilitation Institute’s annual Garden Party, they taught Henli to carry a watering can and follow patients from plant to plant—a joyful and interactive experience that doubles as therapy.

New tricks for the whole team
Henli has brought more than smiles to the Rehabilitation Institute—she’s changed the way the team thinks about therapy.
“Henli pushes us to be more creative in coming up with treatments,” Katie says. “You have this highly trained dog who also brings comfort and strength to patients who are facing a difficult moment. It’s such a unique experience, and it’s so fun for us to see patients engage with her.” 

Henli is currently the only facility dog in the Kansas City area paired with therapists at an adult hospital. As Katie and Nathan continue to expand her caseload and integrate her into more care plans, it’s clear that Henli is not just a dog—she’s a teammate, a motivator, and a tremendous force for hope and healing.