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Jeremy Burton, PhD, is a research scientist at St. Joseph’s Health Care London whose work explores one of the most intriguing frontiers in medicine: the human microbiome. But while he and his research team delve into the complex ecosystems within our bodies, Burton has another role at St. Joseph’s that brings healing to people in a very different way.

Enter Dudley, a 9-year-old rescue beagle with a gentle spirit and a tail that never stops wagging. Known to hospital staff as much for his soft ears as for his friendly demeanor, Dudley is a therapy dog (and a bit of a celebrity) who has been brightening hallways and hearts at St. Joseph’s since before the pandemic.

“He loves people. He just wants to make them happy,” says Burton. 

Dudley had all the right qualities to become a therapy animal—affectionate, calm and endlessly patient. After an endearingly chaotic temperament test at St. John Ambulance where, according to Burton, “other dogs were doing tricks and Dudley was trying to walk backwards and started rolling around,” the pair were officially certified.

Dudley started his therapy work at Mount Hope Centre for Long Term Care, where he visited residents, many of whom live with dementia or Alzheimer’s. Over time, his visits expanded to include staff at both Mount Hope and the main hospital site, providing comfort on what can be emotionally demanding days.

One story that sticks with Burton is of a resident who had not spoken in six months—until Dudley padded into the room donning his signature therapy dog bandana. Out of the blue, she looked up and said, “I had a beagle.” Moments like that make every visit worth it, Burton remarks.

Once every two weeks, Dudley accompanies Burton to work, arriving bright and early. “He’s always excited,” Burton says. “On those days, he knows he gets an extra meal! I make all his food myself, and he’s very enthusiastic about it. Very food motivated.” 

When he isn’t escorting Dudley around to attend rounds or give out snuggles, Burton is immersed in research. His team studies the relationship between microbes and urological health, exploring how prebiotics and probiotics can shape patient outcomes. They also support the Fecal Microbiota Transplant (FMT) program and are collaborating with the imaging department to track microbiome activity inside the body.

But despite the complexity of his research, Burton knows that some healing happens in simpler ways. "The main attribute of a therapy dog is that they can be approached and petted,” he says. “And Dudley’s great at being very approachable. He’s got a lovable face.”

It’s no wonder the beagle is a popular volunteer not just amongst hospital staff, but for Foundation staff members as well. Many Foundation and hospital employees make time to seek him out when he’s on volunteer duty. 

“People light up when they see him. Even if it’s just for a minute.”