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The frightened little girl sitting in the ER was clutching her broken arm and crying inconsolably, but then something wonderful happened. Mort walked in and put his paws on her lap—and within moments her tears stopped and her face was transformed by a big smile.
Mort, a Golden Retriever, and his handler Ernie Knapp are part of the Pet Therapy program at CHOC. They, along with 36 other volunteer teams, visit children at CHOC in the clinics, inpatient floors, waiting rooms, and Emergency Department.
The pet therapy dogs and their handlers may be seen regularly throughout the hospital campus any day of the week. When a dog prances into CHOC, most visitors do a double take. But moments later, faces light up with broad grins. Typically, there is an immediate response to the tail wagging and furry faces. These four-footed volunteers truly give something special to enhance the health and well-being of the children at CHOC.
Charlie Ridge visits CHOC every Monday with Mabel, her 8-year-old Pomeranian. According to Charlie, “Mabel knows exactly when it’s her day to visit CHOC; she gets so excited. Even the staff refers to Monday as ‘Mabel Mondays!’” “Mabel loves visiting the kids so much,” says Charlie. “She particularly likes to help them through procedures that are scary for them, such as having a cast removed. One little boy held Mabel’s paw during his entire procedure.”
Janell Keider rescued her dog Jenna from the pound, where she was scheduled to be put to sleep. Shortly thereafter, Jenna endured two weeks in the doggy-version of the ICU. According to Janell, “I show kids pictures of Jenna in the ICU and explain to them that Jenna knows what it feels like to be in the hospital. It comforts them that she can relate.”
“This is honestly the best volunteer job I have ever had,” Janell continues. “Jenna just has so much empathy. For example, the children who undergo chemotherapy often get cold after a treatment. Jenna will lie next to them to keep them warm.”
“One of my favorite memories is the time Jenna was spotted by a little girl in a wheelchair who had both legs amputated below the knee. She was so happy to be with Jenna and she asked me if she could walk her around the hospital. Within moments, she was out of her chair and walking proudly through the hospital as she led Jenna by her leash. Despite the eyes that followed that little girl down the hall, for that moment, her disability was eclipsed by the sheer joy in her face.”
Patients and staff alike look forward to the dogs’ visits to CHOC. Some Associates keep treats on hand for their fourlegged friends, and many of the kids eagerly await a playful visit from their favorite furry pal. The dogs who visit CHOC come in all shapes and sizes. Some have pedigrees, some have been adopted, but all of them seem very proud to wear their CHOC volunteer badges.
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