Facility dogs

Children’s Health℠ has added eight (8) new dedicated employees in our hospital's PetSmart Charities Pet-Assisted Therapy Dog program. The facility dogs are registered service dogs that work with a handler, who is a hospital employee, in the hospital on a daily basis. The facility dogs are utilized in a clinical role to meet patient care goals with patients and families. Each handler receives specialized training to work with their facility dog in the hospital. This program is managed through the Child Life Department.

Some ways in which our Facility dogs work at Children’s Health:

• Facility dogs can provide staff members with opportunities for new interventions. For example, Van loves to engage in medical play with patients who may be nervous about a procedure or hospitalization.
• Provide support to the medical teams. Our staff works hard to care for patients and families, and a snuggle with Blair or Keaton can help de-stress a busy day.
• New way to engage with patients and families. Being away from home can be hard, the Facility Dogs make it more welcoming.
• Enhancement to special events and holidays. Our pups love to dress up at Halloween, visit with Santa at Christmas, or support their  favorite sports teams. 
• Community involvement and support groups. You will usually see our dogs ready and waiting at many of our events like Red Balloon Run and Ride, a variety of weekend and summer camps.