At Cincinnati Children’s Hospital, therapy dogs like Hadley are making a significant impact on the well-being of young patients. These full-time, specially trained dogs provide emotional support during stressful medical procedures, helping to normalize the hospital environment for children and their families. Hadley, a Labrador-golden retriever mix, is one of four facility dogs at the hospital, offering comfort and motivation to children like 5-year-old Calvin Owens, who recently ventured outside for the first time in over a month to play with her.
Expanding Canine Care
The use of facility dogs in children’s hospitals is a growing trend nationwide. Organizations such as Canine Companions provide these dogs, which are bred, raised, and trained to work alongside hospital staff. While hospitals do not pay for the dogs themselves, they cover costs such as food and veterinary care through fundraising efforts. Research supports the benefits of these animal-assisted therapies, showing improvements in children’s overall well-being, pain management, and stress reduction.
Across the country, hospitals like Mount Sinai Kravis Children’s Hospital in New York and St. Louis Children’s Hospital have integrated facility dogs into their care teams. Recently, Johns Hopkins Children’s Center in Maryland introduced its first two facility dogs, highlighting the expanding reach of these programs.
Day-to-Day Impact
Hadley’s daily routine at Cincinnati Children’s involves visiting patients, participating in therapeutic activities, and offering companionship. Her presence is particularly valued by long-term patients like 14-year-old Aspen Franklin, who finds comfort in Hadley’s calming presence. The dogs also engage with siblings and families, providing a sense of normalcy and connection to home life.
Handlers like Schellie Scott, who works with Hadley, ensure the dogs remain clean and healthy, especially when working in sensitive areas like the cancer and blood diseases unit. The dogs are bathed regularly and kept away from isolated patients, except in cases where their presence is deemed crucial for emotional support.
Through their work, therapy dogs at Cincinnati Children’s Hospital are not only enhancing the healing environment but also becoming beloved figures among patients and staff. Their ability to bring joy and comfort in challenging times underscores the vital role they play in pediatric care.
Original reporting: WLWT Cincinnati — read the source article.
