Thanks to the St. John Ambulance Therapy Dog Program, Mulligan provides comfort to families at Ronald Mc Donald House.
In London, Ont., a therapy dog is celebrating an impressive milestone of 1,000 visits through the St. John Ambulance Therapy Dog Program.
For his owner Jenny Hauser, the name Mulligan has a special significance.
A mulligan represents a second chance or new beginning. “It was in my 40s when I got my first dog. She was a therapy dog as well, and when she passed away, we got Mulligan,” said Hauser.
Mulligan’s 1,000th visit was celebrated on Wednesday at Ronald Mc Donald House in London, which has been one of the main places for his visits.
mulligan – therapy dog Mulligan the therapy dog has reached 1,000 visits, a first in southwestern Ontario. Oct. 7, 2026. (Lauren Stallone/ London)
“This is Mulligan’s 1,000th visit,” said Hauser. “A lot of the visits have been at Ronald Mc Donald House, so that’s why we chose here to do the celebration.”
Through the St. John Ambulance Therapy Dog Program, Mulligan brings comfort and companionship to families while their children are receiving medical treatment.
“You can just imagine how important it is after a stressful day or for people who have had dogs in the past and can’t have them anymore; having that love and care is essential,” said Lynn Loubert, a dog coordinator with the program. “And that unconditional attention.”
mulligan therapy dog Mulligan the therapy dog has reached 1,000 visits, a first in southwestern Ontario. Oct. 7, 2026. (Lauren Stallone/ London)
Families staying at the house say that therapy dogs provide a welcome distraction.
“They’re so cute. They’re so much fun. They’re so fluffy,” said Amelia, Ryan and Rosalie Rouselle.
As reported by program volunteers, Mulligan is now the first therapy dog in southwestern Ontario to achieve this remarkable milestone of 1,000 visits and has interacted with over 112,000 people.
mulligan therapy dog Mulligan the therapy dog has reached 1,000 visits, a first in southwestern Ontario. Oct. 7, 2026. (Lauren Stallone/ London)
“Mulligan is just that type of dog that wants to greet everybody and love everybody,” Hauser said. “He just has that demeanor and personality trait that is full of love.”
Volunteers noted that this therapy dog program started 32 years ago and currently features 62 dogs serving communities throughout the region.
“We really reduce stress for many of our participants,” said Loubert. “It’s just a fabulous experience for us all – for them and for the dogs.”
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