At the Orlando VA Medical Center’s Community Living Center (CLC), a new four-legged friend is making a big impact, bringing tail wags, warm hearts, and wide smiles to Veterans and staff. Meet Autumn, a seven-year-old American Doberman Pinscher, who now proudly serves as the Orlando VA Medical Center’s (OVAMC) official facility dog.
Autumn belongs to Felicity Ruiz, a recreational therapist who works primarily with Veterans in Oaktree Village, a unit that serves both spinal cord injury patients and those in rehabilitation. Originally rehomed to Ruiz in 2022, Autumn quickly settled into a peaceful, affectionate lifestyle, even getting along seamlessly with her Chihuahua and Boston Terrier at home.
Her gentle nature and natural ability to connect with others made her a perfect candidate for certification through Paws for Friendship, an organization that prioritizes animal temperament and ability to thrive in diverse environments.
Facility dogs differ from service or emotional support animals. While service animals are trained to assist with specific disabilities, therapy dogs like Autumn serve a broader purpose: bringing joy, comfort, and emotional support to groups of people, especially in clinical settings. At the OVAMC, Autumn is an official part of recreational therapy sessions and the result of a dedicated effort, and a newly approved Standard Operating Procedure (SOP) developed within the VA.
“She works right alongside me,” Ruiz explained. “We use animal-assisted therapy as part of our treatment planning. Autumn helps Veterans increase socialization, reminisce, improve mood, and sometimes even physical functioning through petting or movement.”
Autumn’s calming presence is already deeply felt by the Veteran community. CLC resident and Army Veteran David Runco shared, “Oh, it’s wonderful. Everyone loves her. I mean, she’s such a beautiful dog and she lifts our spirits. I look forward to her coming around all the time. We all do.”
Autumn visits twice a week and participates in both one-on-one visits and group activities like trivia sessions where she’s been jokingly credited with always getting the answers right. Veterans light up when she enters the room, often asking, “Where’s my girl?” While Autumn primarily works in Oaktree Village, her reach is expanding. Staff members or providers from other units can request visits, and Ruiz is open to building a more streamlined process in the near future.
Though Autumn is a Doberman, a breed often misunderstood due to outdated stereotypes, her presence is helping to change that narrative. “People think Dobermans are aggressive, but it’s really about training, temperament, and how they’re raised,” Ruiz said. “Autumn is the perfect example. She’s protective when needed but incredibly gentle. She loves coming here and she knows it’s a safe place.”
Safety and hygiene protocols are in place to ensure every visit is secure and comfortable, with precautions like hand sanitizing, health screenings, and limitations around certain medical conditions. When she’s not on duty, Autumn enjoys runs with Ruiz, playing with her “dog sisters” and “Corgi cousins,” and lounging quietly in Ruiz’s office. “Sometimes I forget she’s even under my desk,” Ruiz laughed. “She’s just that calm.”
Whether she’s spreading love to a Veteran missing their own dog or joining a group for some light-hearted fun, Autumn is more than just a pet, she’s become a trusted companion and a bright spot in the lives of those she serves. “She’s already made such a difference,” Ruiz said, smiling. “And I know this is just the beginning.” Autumn may not wear a uniform, but her mission is clear: to serve with heart, heal with presence, and comfort with every paw step.
Pictured in photo: Recreational Therapist Felicity Ruiz, Facility Dog Autumn, and
Army Veteran David Ronco enjoying sunshine and fresh air at the CLC
Hansraj Raghunandan is the Public Affairs Specialist at the Orlando VA Health Care System in Central Florida.
