Celebrating the Life of Facility Dog Dory 

It is with sadness we share that our beloved facility dog Dory recently passed away after a short fight with cancer. Dory was 8 years old and had been faithfully serving Children’s since 2018.

As the dedicated facility dog for the Children’s Camp program, Dory was a constant presence for our Children’s campers, and they eagerly looked forward to seeing her every summer. Alongside her handler, Dory was able to harness her calm and confident attitude to motivate campers to take on new challenges, like paddleboarding or ziplining. She was also a comfort to those who were missing home.

Our Children’s campers and volunteers often say they are their best selves when they are at camp, and the same was true for Dory. She thrived in the camp environment and relished working in her element, the outdoors. She loved to swim in the lake, chase squirrels, and had a special nose for sniffing out dropped food in the dining hall. She also enjoyed wearing her favorite costume to match the theme day. Camp days can be tiring, and Dory perfected the “camp nap”—always finding a spot to rest, even amongst the liveliest of camp activities.

When camp was not in session, Dory brought joy to staff at the Support Center, where she looked forward licking the yogurt lids of her camp team colleagues and getting her daily treat from security guard Mike. She also loved participating in special events at the hospital like Camp On The Move and visiting her camper friends while they were inpatient.

Dory’s life was filled with boundless love, joy and purpose. Her impact on those she served is immeasurable. We will always remember and cherish Dory and her legacy—the dog who made camp, and life, a little brighter for everyone.