Facility dogs
Children’s Health℠ facility dogs are registered service dogs that work alongside their team of handlers, who are hospital employees, 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 Social Work Department.
Some ways in which our Facility dogs work at Children’s Health:
Engagement to provide support to patients and families. Being aware from home can be hard, the Facility Dogs make the hospital more welcoming.
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 our staff who work hard to care for patients and families, and a snuggle with the dogs can help de-stress a busy.
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, a variety of weekend and summer camps.
