A New York City hospital has acquired a new caregiver thanks to a rehab patient who is sharing the "unconditional love" of her therapy aide.
Annmarie Snow-Matera, who has battled cerebral palsy since birth, noticed during her rehab visits at Staten Island University Hospital that patients cheered up whenever they encountered Domino.
"Domino gives a lot of love," she told NBC 4 New York.
Domino is a black Labrador, who has been Snow-Matera's companion and service dog for several years.
"He's really changed my life," she said. "He's helped me to live a more independent life."
Seeing how hospital patients responded to Domino, Snow-Matera decided to enlist Domino as a trained therapy dog at the Staten Island hospital. And he's been a big hit with patients.
James Falcone, 18, who recently learned he has Hodgkin's lymphoma, said he looks forward to seeing Domino when he comes to the hospital for treatment.
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"It doesn't matter if I'm having a good day or bad day, seeing Domino even for a second just to say 'Hey, Domino' puts a smile on my face," he said.
Snow-Matera calls Domino's charm "the Domino effect" and believes he enjoys his new role at the hospital.
"He knows he's going to get a lot of love and he's going to give a lot of love. So he wants to come here and do this."
