FARGO (KFGO) – Pediatric patients at Sanford Children’s Hospital in Fargo are now able to receive assistance from a dog.
Fox, a one-year-old golden retriever, is the region’s first-ever facility dog. A facility dog is different than a therapy dog. It works in a health care setting to provide comfort and is educated to assist with patient care, whereas a therapy dog is a personal pet that has been certified to visit the hospital and provide comfort and joy to patients and families.
“This facility dog will be an important member of our Sanford Children’s care team,” said Katy Easter, Sanford Health lead child life specialist. “It’s no secret that dogs provide a level of compassion and care to humans like no other, and it is so important for us to help our patients and their families in times of pain and stress. Unlike other therapy animals, facility dogs and their handlers are able to be in a patient’s room during medical procedures to comfort children and families and help patients achieve various clinical goals through pain management, procedural support, outcome-driven play, sibling and family support.”
The facility dog was made possible through a $200,000 lead gift from NutriSource Pet Foods, a KLN Family Brands company. The gift, made through the Sanford Health Foundation, establishes the NutriSource Facility Dog Program at Sanford Children’s, which in addition to being the first of its kind in the Fargo region, is also the inaugural program in the entire Sanford footprint that uses animal assisted therapy (AAT) to provide care, promote healing and improve the emotional well-being of pediatric patients.
The NutriSource Facility Dog Program at Sanford Children’s is covered by philanthropy, meaning families will never receive a bill for this important service.
Some of the abilities of a facility dog include:
Demonstrate medication administration
Motivate patients to move after surgery
Help with pain management
Comfort patients and loved ones who are facing chronic or life-changing illnesses
Help patients deal with stress and anxiety
Prior to arriving in Fargo, the facility dog completed an extensive educational program led by Canine Assistants, a Georgia-based nonprofit dedicated to educating and placing service dogs with individuals and in health care settings.
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