Central Florida Therapy Dog Koda the Fluff Spreads Smiles Worldwide
by REBEKAH PIERCE
photos provided by JENA McKINSTRY
What’s more adorable than a fluffy Pomeranian sporting hip black sunglasses, jetting around town in a bright red pup-sized convertible?
We’ll wait.
Koda the Fluff is a registered therapy dog that works with Beyond the Leash Pet Therapy, the main provider for pet therapy at Orlando Health.
At just 10 years old, Koda has spread joy to thousands of people in the Central Florida area and beyond. Making appearances at schools, senior centers, aviation facilities, and even in appearances with law enforcement, Koda is well-known for her sunny, calming disposition. But where she’s really made a mark is at our local hospitals.
Although owner Jena McKinstry adopted Koda as a puppy, the two didn’t start doing therapy work until Koda was about 5 years old. The inspiration to do so came when a close friend, bedridden in the hospital after multiple surgeries, told McKinstry that the only thing that got him through was the therapy dog that laid on his chest.
“I wanted to use Koda to do just that,” McKinstry says.
Through the years, Koda has been through multiple training programs and has worked with several personal trainers.
“At the hospital,” McKinstry says, “you have to jump through a lot of hoops to do pet therapy. We’re thankful to be part of Orlando Health, as they’re a renowned large hospital.”
When McKinstry first started bringing Koda in for visits, it was as simple as surprising the nurses with balloons. It quickly blossomed into something much bigger — and more meaningful.
“The first year, I did everything out of my own pocket, and it got to the point where I couldn’t sustain it,” McKinstry recalls. “I started [a] nonprofit so I could continue doing what I do with Koda, but more. It makes the projects possible [and] gives people an outlet to help.”
That nonprofit, Smiles For Miles, brings Koda’s work into countless people’s lives.
“Koda has such a character,” McKinstry says. “She has this human character to her without being human. Dogs represent love, and it’s easy to love Koda.”
She recalled one specific day in the emergency room when Koda encountered an 8-year-old boy suffering from a nail in his foot. Before he saw Koda, he was inconsolable.
“When he saw Koda, he stopped crying…he completely reset.”
McKinstry notes that this isn’t the only time Koda’s mere presence has made a remarkable impact on those around her, and it’s not just children.
“The children’s hospital always loves her. But the adults in the hospital and the staff really need it too,” she explains.
“A waiting room in a hospital is so serious and depressing. When Koda rolls in, with her radio going…people start laughing, they cry, they don’t know how to handle the emotion.”
The staff at Orlando Health back this up.
“When Koda enters a space, the energy inside completely changes…on many occasions, I have had patients and/or families take pictures of Koda saying, ‘I can’t believe she’s real!’ or, ‘I have to take a picture to show my kid!’ ” says Diane Anderson, Corporate Manager of Orlando Health Pet Therapy.
And while Koda is undeniably unique in her fluffy appeal — McKinstry admits that “Koda is her own unique pet therapy,” with a calm demeanor and a close connection to McKinstry that helps her be comfortable in any situation — Orlando Health is seeking to expand its pet therapy program with other animals, too.
“Pets have a unique ability to connect with us on a deep emotional level, offering companionship, unconditional love, and a sense of purpose,” Anderson says. “They provide warmth and energy, and their presence can brighten up anyone’s day. The power of pet therapy has been shown to create a positive impact in reducing stress, lowering blood pressure, and improving overall well-being.”
In 2024 alone, the Orlando Health Pet Therapy program teams made more than 1,200 visits to nearly 9,000 patients. “We are very proud to promote the well-being of everyone, and our Pet Therapy program is a gift that we like to share.”
Orlando Health is actively recruiting new volunteer teams to join their program, and those interested can visit their website for more information.
So what’s next for Koda? McKinstry says she plans to continue this work for as long as Koda wants to do it, which seems to be as long as she’s still physically able to jet around in her teeny tiny car. “I have a map…that shows the entire world, and we put pins in the map when we get messages. [We have received] messages from almost every single continent, every single country. We made someone’s day in a country we barely even heard of. That’s something I’ll keep forever. It makes it all worth it.”
From making kids smile in local hospital rooms to dazzling fans across continents via her Facebook page, Koda the Fluff proves that even the tiniest paws can leave an unforgettable footprint on your heart.