Golden Retrievers Provide Comfort to Louisville Nursing Students
Two therapy dogs support students at the Galen College of Nursing during high-stress exam periods.
Updated on Oct. 16, 2026 in Dogs
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Two English Cream Golden Retrievers, Henry and Maisy, now serve as therapy dogs for students at the Galen College of Nursing in Louisville. The dogs roam campus during exam weeks to help lower stress levels among nursing trainees.
Why it matters
The presence of these dogs provides a much-needed mental health boost for students navigating the intense demands of nursing school. The program also serves as a personal tribute, honoring the care the owner's daughter received during a three-year cancer battle.
Henry and Maisy are English Cream Golden Retrievers who hold official college ID badges on the Louisville campus. Their presence follows a three-year period of medical treatment for their owner's daughter at Kosair Hospital.
The players
Henry
Henry is an English Cream Golden Retriever who works as a therapy dog at the Galen College of Nursing.
Maisy
Maisy is an English Cream Golden Retriever and a member of the therapy dog team at the Galen College of Nursing.
Jim Hack
Jim Hack is the senior facilities manager at the Galen College of Nursing and the owner of Henry and Maisy.
Galen College of Nursing
Galen College of Nursing is an educational institution in Louisville that focuses on preparing students for the healthcare profession.
Kosair Hospital
Kosair Hospital is a medical facility in Louisville where Jim Hack's daughter received care during her treatment.
The details
Owned by senior facilities manager Jim Hack, the dogs provide students with opportunities to interact during simulation labs and exam weeks. The pair serves as a gesture of gratitude for the nursing care Hack's daughter received at Kosair Hospital.
Timeline
October 16, 2026: The therapy dog program remains an active fixture on the Louisville campus.
Culture Shift
The integration of Henry and Maisy aligns with the broader societal movement toward using animal-assisted interventions to improve mental health in high-stress academic environments. This reflects a shift away from traditional campus wellness models toward more hands-on, community-based stress reduction strategies.
Students at the Louisville campus can seek out these dogs during simulation labs and examination windows to help manage school-related anxiety. For the broader local community, the program highlights the accessibility of pet-based stress relief in professional and educational settings.
The takeaway
Integrating therapy animals into rigorous academic programs offers students a tangible way to manage stress. Petting a dog during study breaks can provide a moment of emotional respite that aids in overall academic endurance.
Further reading
Learn more about the role of companion animals in the Louisville Dogs section.
Source note: This article includes information reported by WENG 98.1FM, 107.5 FM & 1530 AM.
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