Getting festive with Santa Paws | News [Video]

BANGOR — Employees at Northern Light EMMC were treated to an early Christmas present Tuesday with a hot cocoa bar and a visit with one of the many therapy dogs on staff. We stopped by to see how these four-legged Santa Paws help boost the medical staff’s spirits during this time of year.

“Dobby, Dobby, Dobby,” could be heard on the second floor of Northern Light EMMC on Tuesday.

Working in healthcare can be stressful, so to help alleviate that feeling and show appreciation to these essential workers, Stacey Coventry, the director of community engagement at Northern Light EMMC created ‘Hot Cocoa with Santa Paws.’

“I think sometimes when you need to vent and let off steam, dogs can be a great place for that. They’re not going tell anyone. They’re not going to judge you,” explained Coventry. “Studies show, which I think healthcare workers can appreciate, that dogs can actually lower …