Happy Birthday, Zilly!

Inn Celebrates Valentine’s Day with Party for Resident Favorite

A masked child pets the dog in front a table with boxed cupcakes

Inn therapy dog Zilly and friend celebrate Valentine’s Day, which is also the pooch’s birthday. Cupcakes were on the menu.

Photo: Children's Inn at NIH

Crayons and markers sit on a table with a red table cloth

The VisArts program provided hands-on crafts for the occasion.

Photo: Children's Inn at NIH

Inn resdients sit at a table while doing arts and crafts

The Children’s Inn at NIH filled Valentine’s Day with fun and love.

The day started with deliveries of candy grams, a cookie decorating kit and handwritten Valentine’s Day cards to each resident.

Next up was a celebration of inn therapy dog Zilly’s birthday. Residents gathered in the lobby to wish the Australian Labradoodle a happy birthday and enjoy cupcakes with her. Zilly joined the inn staff in 2015.

In the afternoon, a special gathering to mark the day was held in the Bistro, which was also the site of the monthly VisArts program activity.

In the red-, pink- and heart-festooned café, residents enjoyed more treats from the candy bar while designing glass hearts and creating other Valentine-themed artwork.

A candlelight dinner ended a day devoted to love (and love of sweets!).