Two service dogs named Agnes and Baskin have completed their first week of bringing full-time happiness to MUSC Shawn Jenkins Children’s Hospital. Though their journey at the hospital has just begun, they have already made a huge difference in the lives of their favorite patients.
The Dogs For Joy program works with the Dunkin Joy In Childhood Foundation to bring happiness to children’s hospitals. By placing well-trained service dogs in the hospitals full time, they can offer an abundance of love to each sick child that crosses their path.
A Golden Retriever named Baskin and a Goldendoodle named Agnes have spent the last week getting to know the patients and staff at Shawn Jenkins Children’s Hospital. Being specifically trained to comfort those in stressful medical situations, they are making a positive impact on the daily flow of the hospital.
Baskin and Agnes have spent the last week comforting children during medical procedures, offering companionship to worried families, and even combatting stress in the hospital’s staff. Though these dedicated pups may have been trained to help the children, they impact every single person that crosses their path.
While these lovable pups have already begun to show off some of their skills, they are trained and ready to offer support in multiple areas! Baskin and Agnes can teach kids how to take their pills, demonstrate medical procedures, cuddle with nervous children, and even model hospital gowns for new incomers. The hospital environment can be scary for everyone involved, but Baskin and Agnes are ready to shower the families with love.
“These special dogs not only bring joy to children battling illness but serve an important role within a child’s treatment team. By joining the children’s hospital team, Baskin and Agnes will provide comfort and joy to hundreds of pediatric patients and their family members.” – Kari McHugh
The happiness that these pups have offered in the last week proves just how important programs like Dogs For Joy are to local children’s hospitals. Dogs can light up a room in any situation, and families with sick children deserve that extra light!
“The Dunkin’ Joy in Childhood Foundation is always seeking ways to help kids feel like kids, even on their most difficult days. Nothing brings joy more than four paws, a wet nose, and a wagging tail.” – Kari McHugh
Dogs For Joy has successfully placed 15 full-time pediatric service dogs in hospitals around the country. There’s no doubt that they will continue to change the lives of so many families to come!
H/T: people.com
Image Source: JoyInChildrenFoundation/FB & MUSCKids/FB
Toledo, United States.
