Some dogs can do so much more than fetch a bone; some can help others in need. Nellie is a 11-year-old Collie, and a volunteer at The Ottawa Hospital. With some help from her handler, Claire Laroche, Nellie frequently visits The Ottawa Hospital Cancer Centre, hoping to help lift patients’ spirits.

The comfort cart program founded by Vince Westwick, a former hospital board member, in the Emergency Department at The Ottawa Hospital’s Civic Campus continues to help people after his death.

Their compassion and caring shone through – not just for Allan Cook but for all his family and friends as well. And after he passed away, they attended his wake and celebration of life, continuing to care for his family. All that and more is why the nurses on B2 won the Team.

It moves some to tears. Others are shocked, yet hopeful. Anger, guilt and shame can also come with the heightened awareness hospital staff members have after taking part in the KAIROS Blanket Exercise, which retells 500 years of Canada’s history through the perspective of First Nations, Inuit and Métis.

Ian Asquith doesn’t miss being in the hospital for two months with a perforated colon, but he does miss the special nurses on 7 East, who he nominated for the annual team nursing award because they bring to life The Ottawa Hospital’s core values of compassion, respect, teamwork and quality.

For several years, retirees Pat Porter and Doris Reed have donated their time and money to deliver in-demand items like soap, shampoo, toothpaste, toothbrushes, combs, new underwear and clean used clothing to the Civic Campus Emergency Department.