Metaxa Cancer Hospital on Tuesday introduced Dylan, the first therapy dog to become a permanent presence in a public hospital under Greece’s National Health System, in what officials described as a milestone for patient care.
Dylan’s debut was timed to coincide with World Nurses Day, paying tribute to healthcare workers and their daily commitment to patient support.
Hospital officials said Dylan is the first officially integrated therapy dog within the national system and will be handled by hospital administrator Sarantos Efstathopoulos, marking a structured effort to incorporate animal-assisted therapy into clinical practice.
In his role at Metaxa Hospital in Piraeus, Dylan will visit oncology patients in the Day Care Unit, offering emotional support, comfort and relief through interaction with patients undergoing treatment. Officials described his presence as a calming influence intended to ease psychological stress.
The initiative is part of the “Companions with Tails” program, launched in 2025 by Efstathopoulos in cooperation with Dog Therapy and supported by Win Cancer. The program completed its first year of operation in April and has been positively received by patients, families and staff, according to hospital officials.
