Cora Is Here to Help!
Cora, a Portuguese Water Dog, is here to help Hasbro Children’s patients on their health journeys. As a valued Child Life Services team member, Cora can provide comfort, support, and motivation in many ways.
Meet Cora the Comfort Dog
Hasbro Children’s has an employee who specializes in love and support – Cora the facility comfort dog. Cora is a Portuguese Water Dog whose name comes from the words corazón (Spanish) and coração (Portuguese), both meaning “heart.”
Unlike volunteer therapy dogs, Cora is a permanent member of the Hasbro Children’s team. She works alongside her handlers – Micaela Materne, the manager of Child Life Services, and child life specialist Karen Swartz, CCLS, CEIM. Together, they help children and families navigate hospital stays, procedures, and moments of uncertainty with compassion and care. Cora even has her own hospital badge and beeper—just like any other employee.
Cora began her training at Hasbro Children’s when she was only 12 weeks old. Born in Maine in October 2023, she quickly showed a natural ability to help others. Now, as a valued part of Child Life Services, she helps patients through every step of their care journey.
How Cora Supports Patients and Families
Cora loves meeting patients and their caregivers. She enjoys helping them even more. As Hasbro Children’s facility comfort dog, Cora’s job duties include:
- Providing comfort during procedures
- Medical teaching
- Supporting people during hospital stays
- Giving comfort during difficult conversations
- Bereavement support
- Encouragement to reach goals
- Creating joyful moments
A grant from Dunkin’s Joy in Childhood Foundation’s Dogs for Joy program allowed the hospital to adopt and train her.