It's pretty hard not to smile when a happy-go-lucky pooch enters the room. But Veronica Pardo's dogs in Quito are not only making sick children smile, they are helping them fight cancer.
Starting in 2005, Pardo has brought her dogs to the SOLCA hospital, the only hospital in Ecuador's capital that treats children with cancer.
Every Wednesday, the kids get a visit from dogs like Lancelot, a 15 month old American cocker spaniel and Luci, a 5 year Parson Russell terrier.
Doctors say that the adrenaline boost the kids receive from the visits helps fight the side effects of chemotherapy.
That and it's always nice to have a friend!