Linda Haasz devoted more than 33 years to patients and colleagues at Hackensack Meridian Health, working as support administration at Old Bridge Medical Center and then, starting in 2012, at Raritan Bay Medical Center in Perth Amboy.
“She was a great secretary and everybody in the hospital really liked her. We wanted to honor her memory,” says Colleen Kayser, nurse manager in the special-care unit of Raritan Bay.
Linda, an avid animal lover, died of cancer in May 2024 at age 70. Colleagues thought it would be a fitting tribute to fund a pet-therapy program in her honor.
A fundraising page has raised nearly $1,400 for Linda’s Leashes, which will support the Bright & Beautiful Therapy Dogs program at the two medical centers where Linda was a friendly face to those who came across her path for so long.
The group, based in Morris County, is a nonprofit organization dedicated to training, evaluating and qualifying people and their well-behaved dogs as therapy teams. Founded in 1999 and authorized in all 50 states, Bright & Beautiful has certified more than 14,000 members and dogs.
The therapy dog teams provide solace, love and friendship for patients (and team members, too) of all ages in a wide variety of circumstances.
Until the program expands, Blueberry, a deaf bulldog rescued by a colleague, is the face of Linda’s Leashes. He comes to the campuses most Fridays and his humans communicate with him via sign language. Sometimes, his brother Rufus comes along as well.
Blueberry is beloved by staff and patients, Colleen says. He was the star of recent Pet-a-Pooch events at both medical centers that raised more than $300 for Linda’s Leashes.
It is the hope that philanthropic funding will allow for more pet therapy teams to visit the medical centers on a more consistent basis, and that the program will provide a lasting legacy for Linda, who had such a long and meaningful career at Hackensack Meridian Health.
“She meant a lot to us and we wanted her family to know there was something here where she will always be remembered,” Colleen says.
We thank all of those who have donated to support this wonderful program at Raritan Bay Medical Center and Old Bridge Medical Center! To learn more about Linda's Leashes or make a gift in support of the program, contact Stephen Maher, executive director of Raritan Bay Medical Center Foundation and Old Bridge Medical Center Foundation, at stephen.maher@hmhn.org or visit GiveHMH.org/LindasLeashesFundraiser.
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