Newdogs calm, comfort children during care at Ohio hospital
UniversityHospitals CLEVELAND— has two new full-time helpers…and they each have four legs. Melena, a 2-yearold Golden Retriever, and Starbucks, a 2-year-old Chocolate Labrador Retriever, became UH’s first trained facility dogs in September andwork at RainbowBabies & Children’s Hospital.
“We’ve been waiting for a dog like Melena for many years towork with children, families and staff in the hospital every day,” said Lisa Perry, a child life specialist and handler for Melena. “We’re thrilled tofinallyhave this. We didn’t expect it to happen during a pandemic either. It’s amazing that it happened now.”
Melena and Starbucks are facility dogs, which differ from therapy dogs. Therapy dogs have gone through some training to visit with patients, families and staff onceamonthforafewhours. Facility dogs go through rigorous training, starting at 8-weeks-old, to acclimate them to the hospital environment and prepare them for certain situations, such as being present during procedures. They’re at the hospital with their handlers 40 hours a week.
Starbucks works with a nurse and a social worker in the child and adolescent psychiatry unit. Melena, who is handled by two child life specialists, spends her time in thehematologyandoncology
division.
“Both dogs are specially trained tokeepchildrencalm before, during, and after medical procedures. They provide comfort and support to staff, patients and family members in a hospital setting. Today, their presence at the hospital is even more beneficial, with COVID-19 visitor and volunteer restrictions in place,” according to aUHstatement.
Perry estimates 95-99 percent of children and families want to see Melena during their stay.
“She can actually be in rooms for procedures, like IVs and blood tests, which can be very empowering for a patient. It gives them a firm sense of comfort,” said Perry.
Each day after work, the
facility dogs go home with their handlers for relaxation, sleep and, of course, pets. “Even though she’s not my dog, I take care of her like she’s my dog,” said Perry. “At home she’s part of our family.”
Facility dogs work for an average of eight years, but it varies based on the dog and their individual circumstances. And even though Melena and Starbucks are only a fewmonths into their tenure, they’ve alreadymade an impact.
Within the last week, Melena began visiting a 3-year-old girl in intensive care who has undergone numerous brain surgeries. “Shewasn’t smiling, wasn’t playingandwasn’t acting like herself,” said Perry.
When Melena walked in,
that all changed.
“She literallyflewforward, moved both arms, squealed with delight and started petting Melena. Her mom and her neurosurgeon were in the room at the time and were thrilled to see her acting so normally,” said Perry. “We’ve gone and visited her for a few minutes every day, which has been a highlight of her day.”
The facility dog program was funded by donors and through theUHcommunity event group Pet PalsHealing Paws. UH received a grant from PetSmart to help purchase twomore facilitydogs, which they expect to get sometime next year, and conduct researchabout their impact.