Say hello to Coco, our therapy dog at University Medical Center of El Paso. Coco, a Labrador/Boxer mix, who loves going to the UMC Geriatric Unit every Wednesday at 10 a.m. to provide the patients with comfort and saying hello to just about everyone who walked by.

Coco's handler and owner, Rodney Garcia, brings Coco to UMC from the Paws for Love Therapy Pets program. Paws for Love is a program that provides therapy teams of animals and their handlers to schools, hospitals, nursing homes, rehabilitation and hospice centers. Their mission is to provide patients with a unique way to cope with their health issues. Paws for Love visits the UMC Geriatric Unit every Wednesday at 10 a.m. to provide them with comfort and affection.

Our patients immediately brighten up and smile as soon as Coco enters their room.