For 35 years, Julie Jankun has served as a nurse. She brings compassion, skill, and, in recent years, a four-legged partner to the job. His name is Marcus. He’s an eight-year-old black labrador retriever with a hospital badge, a remarkable ability to connect with everyone he meets, and a penchant for carrots.

Originally from Reading, Mass., Julie started her health care career as a nursing assistant at Melrose Wakefield Hospital in Melrose, Mass., before completing her nursing education from Saint Anselm College in New Hampshire. After earning her degree, she joined Franciscan Children’s in the inpatient medical and rehabilitation units, where she worked for over 30 years in various roles before moving over to the Kennedy Day School to serve as a school nurse.

“I always wanted to be a nurse,” she says. “I like taking care of people. And these kids, they give so much.”

Attached to post-acute pediatric Franciscan Children’s hospital, the Kennedy Day School serves around 75 students with complex medical and intellectual needs. Many are nonverbal, use wheelchairs, or rely on ventilators. 

“Every student is different,” says Jankun. “It’s about meeting them where they are. Whether it’s just me interacting with them or Marcus interacting with them, it’s knowing what they can and can’t do and just supporting them in that.”

Jankun is one of five nurses on staff responsible for day-to-day care: administering medications, tracking paperwork, assessing students, and communicating with families. But her role stretches well beyond the traditional clinical boundaries — especially since Marcus entered the picture. “Marcus is often a destination,” says Jankun. “No matter where I am, students come to visit and see him … So many kids just love being around him.”

“I always wanted to be a nurse. I like taking care of people. And these kids, they give so much.”

Julie Jankun

Marcus plays a critical role in both student therapy and staff morale. Physical and occupational therapists will often coordinate sessions with Jankun and Marcus to help motivate students to meet specific goals. 

“PT may purposely come because they want a student to pick something up and throw it,” Jankun says. “And the best way to do that is with Marcus. He’s a great motivator.” 

Jankun is quick to remind us she’s not doing it on her own. “The other nurses I work with are fabulous,” she says. “They support both Marcus and me so I can care for students and still bring Marcus where he’s needed.”

By Julie’s side, Marcus has provided more than comfort — he’s also sparked creativity and real-world learning. “We have a vocational program for the older students, and the goal is to kind of train them to be out in the community,” Jankun says. “More recently, they just came up with doing a pet store. So they sell homemade dog treats and bandanas and little toys.” 

Through this project, the students are able to work on real-world skills — handling money, interacting with customers, and getting a taste of retail work — all inspired by their connection to Marcus.

Julie’s nomination letter:

Our school nurse, Julie Jankun, and her therapy dog, Marcus, serve our special school population with excellent nursing care and critical emotional support. Our school is part of Franciscan Children’s and provides special education to students with significant complex medical and intellectual needs from more than 30 cities and towns across Massachusetts.

Julie and Marcus provide support not only to the children in our care but also to the staff across Kennedy Day School, the entire hospital, and beyond.

Julie has a calm demeanor, and Marcus is the sweetest dog. They have a calming and comforting effect on our students as they walk through the halls and visit classrooms. This team also helps with specific programming at Kennedy Day School, provides emotional support for blood draws in the hospital, and always stops to let children pet Marcus — bringing huge smiles to the kids’ faces.

Julie leads by example, mentoring a volunteer from Boston University who is studying to be a child life specialist. The student is studying the effects of nursing and therapy dogs, and she could not have a better example than Julie and Marcus!

Julie and Marcus quietly go about their work in the school each day, making a big impact on the children, families, and staff. We are so lucky to have them!

Nominated by Jeanne LaFauci