When Best Friends Make the Best Medicine
Pet Pals at Rainbow Babies & Children's Hospital

Sometimes the best medicine for kids doesn't come in a pill or an I-V. Fortunately, in Cleveland, there's good medicine and good programs, both helping kids get healthy.

"Puppy! Come!" he shrieked. "Puppy! Come!" When Jessie, a 2-year old golden retriever entered the room, the boy couldn't wait to grab onto her soft, shiny coat and bury his head into it. Although he had wires from his body attached to various monitoring equipment and was deaf, his eyes were bright and shining. His mom smiled and laughed.

This was one story from a visit to Rainbow Babies and Children's Hospital where I observed the Pet Pals program. The program uses trained volunteers and certified therapy dogs to make visits to kids. Pet Therapy has been shown to reduce stress, promote healing, lower blood pressure and bring smiles to the faces of children in the hospital setting.

Launched in 1992 with the Child Life Department of Rainbow Babies and Children’s Hospital, this program is one component of the services designed to help reduce stress and anxiety for children.

The Pet Pals program began with “Bo” (as in Rainbow) the bunny. Bo lived for many years in an activity area (a designated room where children and families can gather to explore toys, books, etc.) and instantly became a star. Quickly, the hospital staff recognized the benefits of animal interaction and the therapy dog program was launched approximately a year later. Since then, the program has thrived and has even expanded with the addition of visits by Pete the Pony (yes, a real pony!).

This program thrives as volunteers make their rounds to visit children each Tuesday and Thursday evening at the hospital.

During one evening in which I was fortunate to observe, two dogs came in to volunteer. All were eager to begin their rounds. Bailey, a “newbie” to the program was participating in her 5th month of visits. Noreen, handler of Jessie, has been active with the program for two years.

As volunteers, they couldn’t be more passionate about the work they are doing. The kids, the families, the different experiences, the opportunity for purposeful work with their pups and being part of the Rainbow team keep them coming back.

In awe of their handling and admiring these well-behaved pups, they assured me that becoming involved in this program is “really not as hard as people think”.

Wandering through the floors the volunteers knocked and politely inquired “Pet Pals, would you like a visit?” Watching them, it is easy to want to support this program.

The day following my visit to this program, my cell phone rang. It was a follow-up call from one of the volunteers I had met. It was a strong reminder of the passion she and the team have for this program. It is rewarding to them as volunteers. It is a great opportunity for a dog “to work.” But, the bottom line is that it is about the kids.

Before we hung up she shared one last story…

Making the rounds one evening, she encountered a young teenage girl and her family who had just been given a serious diagnosis. Sometimes, there seems to be no “right” words.

As she and her dog entered into the room, the girl became engaged and enthralled. Upon the girl’s request, she instructed her dog to hop up onto the bed. From there, the girl nestled her face into the dog’s long, soft fur.

The family and volunteers admired this interaction, which seemed to provide the comfort all longed to give her, but couldn’t.

Sometimes, the best medicine is a Pet Pal.

For more information about Pet Pals: http://www.UHHospitals.org.
216-844-5433 Family & Childlife Services 11100 Euclid Avenue Cleveland, Ohio 44106

From Cool Cleveland contributor Jeannie Fleming-Gifford, M.A. fleminggifford@yahoo.com
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