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Farewell to Moss-Magee’s Favorite Furry Friend, Nigel, as He Retires

This image shows facility dog Nigel with a Jefferson Moss-Magee Rehab patient.

For the past seven years, Nigel has been one of the most familiar and beloved faces at Jefferson Moss-Magee Rehabilitation. A facility dog is a specially trained canine who works alongside clinical staff to support patients throughout their care. Nigel came to Jefferson Moss-Magee through Canine Companions, a national organization known for training assistance dogs to the highest standards of skill and temperament. Partnered with his therapist, Pete DeLong, Nigel arrived ready to work, and he never stopped. Day after day he walked the halls, visited therapy gyms, and greeted patients and families at some of the most difficult moments of their lives. Throughout his career, Nigel touched the lives of thousands of patients and loved ones, and he did it all with a wagging tail.

This image shows Jefferson Moss-Magee Rehab facility dog Nigel with his therapist Pete.

Nigel’s work went far beyond companionship. In physical therapy, he gave patients a reason to take one more step, stand a little longer, or reach a bit farther. In occupational therapy, simple tasks like brushing his coat, clipping on his leash, or tossing him a treat became meaningful exercises in fine motor skills and independence. On sunny days, a game of fetch on the rooftop turned hard work into pure joy. Therapists and patients alike saw it repeatedly — with Nigel in the room, motivation grew, spirits lifted, and recovery often moved forward faster than anyone expected.

Yet some of Nigel’s most important work could never be measured in goals or milestones. He was a furry friend to hug, and a reason to smile when smiles were hard to find. For family members navigating uncertainty, Nigel offered comfort without saying a word. For staff, he was a teammate and a daily reminder of why the work at Magee matters so much.

This image shows a photo of Jefferson Moss-Magee Rehab facility dog Nigel laying in a hospital bed with a patient.

Now, after seven remarkable years, Nigel has officially retired, passing the special vest to his protégé, Verney. Verney takes the lead alongside his therapist, Marissa Fisher, ready to carry forward the legacy Nigel and Pete built, one patient, one step, and one tail wag at a time. While a new chapter begins, Nigel’s impact will never leave Moss-Magee. It lives on in the patients who walked out stronger, the families who found comfort, and the halls he made a little brighter every single day. Thank you, Nigel!

To learn more about how you can support Jefferson Moss-Magee’s Facility Dogs, please contact tyler.mcgrath@jefferson.edu.