Houston Methodist St. John Hospital invites all Bay Area residents – and their pets – to the Tinsel and Tails Pet Blessing and Adoptions event, scheduled for Saturday, Dec. 9, from 9 a.m. to 12 p.m., outside the south entrance to the hospital off Space Park Drive.

This one-of-a-kind activity will include a special blessing of family pets. Every pet who attends will receive a blessing certificate and a holiday gift bag with treats.

A number of local pet adoption agencies will also be on hand, along with loveable dogs and cats who are looking for a “furever” home. Attendees are encouraged to bring donations of pet food and related items to help support these important community resources.

The hospital’s new pet therapy team will also be there to meet and greet attendees.

“At home, pets help keep us healthy, both by providing emotional support and by encouraging us to be more active and engaged,” says Richard Maddox, director of Spiritual Care and Values Integration at Houston Methodist St. John Hospital. “In hospital settings, pet therapy is becoming a valuable tool to help patients recover from illness or surgery. When our therapy dogs enter a room, patients immediately get an emotional boost – they feel stronger and happier, which are key components in healing. This event is designed to recognize the significant role that pets play in our lives while giving people a chance to come together and celebrate the holidays – and maybe even take home a new dog or cat that needs a family.”

For more information about the event please call Rev. Dick Maddox at 281.523.2259.

About Houston Methodist St. John Hospital

Houston Methodist St. John Hospital has earned the highest national patient safety grade “A,” awarded by The Leapfrog Group, and brings the expertise and compassionate care of Houston Methodist Hospital in The Texas Medical Center – a national Honor Roll hospital – to Bay Area communities. The hospital provides a broad spectrum of adult medical and surgical care, is an accredited chest pain center, and is also acute stroke-ready designated through DNV. St. John offers many inpatient and outpatient services including 3-D mammography and other state-of-the-art imaging, labor and delivery with a level II neonatal ICU, Cancer Center of Excellence, advanced laparoscopic surgery, comprehensive orthopedics and sports medicine, neurology, urology and otolaryngology. Visit houstonmethodist.org/stjohn to learn more and to find a doctor near you.