WordPress.com



FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE601 Children’s LaneDATE: TIME \@ "MMMM d, y" April 28, 2016Norfolk, Virginia 23507 Contact: Kasey Fuqua(757) 668-7153kasey.fuqua@CHKD’s New Facility Dog Helps Kids With Therapy, StressHAMPTON ROADS, Va.— Children’s Hospital of The King’s Daughters is happy to welcome a new addition to the family – a facility dog named SaraLee.SaraLee is a golden retriever raised and trained by Canine Companions for Independence, an organization that provides service dogs to hospitals, schools and individuals free of cost. After extensive training, SaraLee is a reliable, polite and well-behaved facility dog that knows over 40 commands designed to help children in the hospital.SaraLee goes to work at the hospital every day with her handler, Shannon Hood, CHKD child life manager, and has her own crate and basket of toys on the seventh floor. When her working vest goes on, SaraLee is focused on helping children. SaraLee and Shannon assist patients with many aspects of healing and rehabilitation.“In her first month at CHKD, SaraLee has met a variety of patients,” Shannon says. “For instance, she has been fetching toys thrown across the room by rehabilitation patients. The patients are having fun, but what they don’t realize is that they are working on balance, strength and endurance by throwing a ball for SaraLee.” SaraLee also helps patients with:Standing and sitting balance. Patients can practice balance by reaching to pet SaraLee and playing fetch.Walking and getting out of room. Patients can walk SaraLee by holding onto a second leash while Shannon holds the main leash. Patient are often more willing to walk when it involves SarahLee.Cognition. Giving SaraLee commands can help children rebuild communication and cognition skills.Fine motor skills. By playing dress-up with SaraLee, children can practice fine motor skills similar to those used in occupational therapy. Education. SaraLee can participate in medical play, which is used to teach children about their treatments and procedures in an age-appropriate way.Decreasing stress. Petting and talking to SaraLee can help children feel calmer and more relaxed.Coping with hospitalization and pain. SaraLee offers a calming presence and a distraction from pain. She brings a sense of normalcy and fun to the hospital environment.Creating a home environment. SaraLee helps children feel more at home, especially if they have their own pets they are missing. Play. Playing is important for children, and SaraLee can help encourage children who are hesitant to join in on the fun.SaraLee currently helps patients in rehabilitation as well as families in the NICU waiting room. As she gets used to her new home at CHKD, she will care for children in other areas of the hospital as needed.It’s not just patients who are benefitting from SaraLee’s presence. Shannon says that SaraLee has helped her slow down and meet new people. “I cannot forget to mention SaraLee’s work with the staff at CHKD,” says Shannon. “She has really brightened the mood on the units she visits. Staff members laugh at her sassy prance down the hall and are excited at the opportunity for a quick break to give her a pet. “When off-duty, SaraLee lives at home with Shannon like a regular pet, enjoying cuddles, walks and playing with her family.###CHKD is the only freestanding children’s hospital in Virginia and serves the medical and surgical needs of children throughout greater Hampton Roads, the Eastern Shore of Virginia and northeastern North Carolina. Canine Companions for Independence is the largest non-profit provider of trained assistance dogs with six regional training centers across the country, including CA, FL, OH, NY and TX, and has placed nearly 5,000 assistance dogs. Established in 1975, Canine Companions provides highly trained assistance dogs to children, adults and veterans with disabilities and is recognized worldwide for the excellence of its dogs, and the quality and longevity of the matches it makes between people and dogs. There is no charge for the dog, its training and on-going follow-up services. For more information, visit or call 1-800-572-BARK.-- END -- ................
................

In order to avoid copyright disputes, this page is only a partial summary.

Google Online Preview   Download