Cindy didn't cry or thank anyone when she was made an honorary registered nurse Wednesday; instead, she stood up on her hind legs and looked around.

The 6-year-old golden retriever was honored with a pin and the Paws that Heal plaque for her work with her owner, Suzanne Stanley, as a therapy dog in the neonatal intensive and intermediate care units at Christus Santa Rosa Children's Hospital.

“It's very therapeutic (because) sometimes being in this environment is difficult,” said Maranda Larweck, the mother of 8-month-old Maya, born 13 weeks premature and with a cardiac condition.

“Sometimes I'll forget (Cindy is coming) and I'll look up and I'll see her and it just uplifts me. She's part of my life right now.”

Stanley teared up as she held Cindy's leash while Beth Crowley, a registered nurse in the hospital, read a poem from the plaque.

“She is a very special dog, so for her to be recognized is very sweet,” Stanley said, holding back tears. “She'll go into a room with a parent and a child and she'll immediately go to the parent. I don't know what her sense is, but we just go with it.”

Stanley, a retired registered nurse, got Cindy, then 2 years old, as a rescue dog from Austin. Together, they have been doing therapy services in the hospital every other Wednesday for about three years.

“I'm not anything but the holder of the leash,” Stanley said. “She does the work and I hold the leash. And make sure no one steps on her tail.”

Crowley said she came up with the idea to honor Cindy because everyone loved her so much and they just wanted to do something special for her.

“She's such a healer to everyone, not only the babies, but the nurses as well,” Crowley said. “Everyone just gravitates toward her.”

Even in a hectic environment, Cindy lay quietly on a sheet while 10-month-old Miguel Pena petted her fur and played with her ears. At the end of the sessions, which usually last 20 to 30 minutes, Cindy stands up on her hind legs to say goodbye.

In May, the Animal Assisted Therapy service expanded from the pediatric unit to neonatal and intensive care. The pair also frequents schools and nursing homes and visits with soldiers and nuns.

The dog's presence helps parents and patients alike, said Leah Dabaghian, a child life specialist. The connection with the dog has a lot of physiological benefits, such as reducing stress and lowering heart rate, she said.

“Having Maya in here, it's kind of uncertain,” Larweck said. “She may never leave here, but she's been able to at least see a dog.”

As originally published, a photo caption accompanying this story contained an error.