Callie’s Impact as a Certified Therapy Dog
The Department of Radiation Oncology at UT Southwestern Medical Center is renowned for its groundbreaking research and award-winning compassionate care. It is home to some of the brightest minds in the industry, but there’s one team member who consistently steals the spotlight. Her name is Callie. She's a certified Golden Retriever therapy dog with a gift for making people smile.
However, calling Callie by just her title would be doing her a disservice. She’s more than a pet therapy dog; she’s a local celebrity. Callie has her own business card, featuring a photo of her dressed as a therapist, calmly posing for the camera with a pair of glasses perched perfectly on her nose. Cindy Bedford, who plays a variety of roles for Callie, including business card distributor, photographer, and guardian, explained that when Callie was photographed posing as a therapist, she held her pose the entire time, so much so that her glasses never fell off during the hour-long photoshoot. There’s no doubt Callie is a true professional; her work just happens to be putting a smile on the faces of patients, family members, hospital faculty, or anyone else who is lucky enough to meet her.
“People here can be going through a lot,” Bedford said. “My mission for Callie is to bring hope and comfort to those who need it.”
Callie’s wardrobe is as impressive as her resume. From festive holiday outfits to a cowgirl ensemble, a hula girl costume, and more, Callie dresses for every occasion with flair. Bedford explains that she trained Callie to smile on command, which makes her extremely photogenic. Callie’s reach extends beyond UT Southwestern. She visits other hospitals across the Dallas-Fort Worth area and even makes appearances at Dallas Fort Worth International Airport, offering comfort to travelers who may be feeling anxious or overwhelmed. But it’s at UT Southwestern where her impact is most deeply felt. When she enters a room, the atmosphere transforms. Stress fades, smiles bloom, and hearts lift.
"I always say that Callie is the star,” Bedford said. “I’m just the human at the end of the leash.”
Whether she’s gently placing her head in someone’s arms or simply sitting quietly beside them, Callie continues to shine bright as she reminds us that healing can be more than just medical treatment, but also connection, kindness, and love.