Greenwich Hospital staff say a new program less than six months old is already making a big impact on patients.

Nancy Donahue, a volunteer at the hospital, says they have a program called the "Kindness Cart," which involves going to patients' rooms to see if there's anything not medical-related they need.

The cart carries items such as shampoo, conditioner, brushes, combs, nail files and books, among other necessities.

The cart also brings much more than just odds and ends to patients. An "adopt-a-pet" program doles out six canine and four feline breeds of stuffed animals, and each is especially made for patients with dementia and Alzheimer's.

Doctors and nurses says the need to nurture remains as other functions fade in those with dementia. They say that having a pet, even a stuffed one, helps fulfill that need.

The stuffed animals come from a company called Memorable Pets.

Greenwich Hospital says the family of a patient donated the money to support the program.