Guest speaker introduces Thiel College PA students to role of service dogs in healthcare

GREENVILLE, Pa.-- Physician assistant students at Thiel College recently gained hands-on insight into the role of service animals in healthcare during a presentation by Cynthia Herman of K-9 Paws of Valor Service Dogs.

The session was organized by Clinical Assistant Professor of Physician Assistant Studies Mary Honard as part of the didactic phase of the College’s Master of Science in Physician Assistant Studies program. Herman, who has trained nearly 50 service dogs, shared her expertise on how service animals assist individuals with disabilities and the legal protections they have in healthcare settings.

Herman was joined by service dog handlers and dogs in training, who demonstrated task-specific responses tailored to different disabilities. Students observed the dogs performing common assistance duties and learned about the comprehensive training process that includes acclimating the animals to environments such as hospitals, grocery stores, restaurants and airports.

Following the demonstrations, students participated in a simulation of an office visit involving a patient with a service dog. The interactive session allowed students to ask questions about best practices for communicating with patients accompanied by service animals.

Thiel College launched its physician assistant program in 2021. The program prepares students for careers in high-demand healthcare fields through a blend of classroom learning, clinical training and experiential education.

K‑9 Paws of Valor Service Dogs is a nonprofit organization based near Pittsburgh that specializes in raising and training service dogs—particularly for veterans and individuals with disabilities. The dogs undergo extensive training over environments such as hospitals, restaurants, airports, and grocery stores, ensuring they can perform vital tasks and provide support in real-world setting.

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