Children’s Mercy, one of the top pediatric facilities in the nation, understands that comprehensive patient care extends beyond traditional medicine. So how do you best reduce daily stress and boost the spirits of the children, their parents, as well as hospital staff? It’s simple, really. Just add dogs.
The Facility Dog Program, implemented at Children’s Mercy in 2015 to help bring comfort to patients and families, includes two full time canines on staff. There’s Hunter, a 7-year-old Golden Retriever with a reddish coat, relaxed disposition and a love of bananas. And meet Milly, the new kid on the block, who started working at the hospital in late June. The precocious 2-year-old, a cream-colored Golden Retriever, is one happy girl, especially when Nutter Butter treats are on hand.
Both are graduates of Canine Assistants, a service dog program that operates just outside of Atlanta, Georgia. Hunter and Milly were born and raised at the facility before ultimately being sent on assignment to Children’s Mercy’s Adele Hall campus in downtown Kansas City. The pups work the same daily shift as their handlers, Aimee Hoflander and Paige Morrell, who are also full-time hospital staff members. As you can imagine, being a handler to one of these fluffy angels is a highly rewarding position that is hard to come by.
For Paige, a single mother with a young daughter, the opportunity to work with new recruit, Milly, seemed like fate. “We've got a little dog, Billy, at home and we’ve been looking to expand our family after our previous female dog passed away a few years ago. And for some reason, all of this just lined up at the right time. Like something magical was happening in our life. We just feel so complete now having Milly home with us. She brings us so much joy and happiness.”
Aimee Hoflander, Hunter’s handler, has been a part of the Facility Dog Program since its inception. For Aimee, Hunter has been a steadying force during life’s turbulent changes. “He’s been a part of our family for six years now. During that time, I’ve had both my children, with the nightmare of COVID and all these crazy life things, he's been such a consistent presence for me. And there are times that I forget how much he helps me and regulates my stress levels. You're with your dog all day, it's magical and wonderful. It's just incredible what he can do, how he can bring everybody to this peaceful place.”
Both dogs have a healthy work/life balance. Their home life is typical, lots of play time, lounging and snoozing. Their daily 9-5 at work, however, is much more structured, starting with a quick bathroom break and visit to their office. Yes, our four-legged friends have an office, equipped with a kennel, water and food bowls and, of course, copious amounts of treats. This safe space is an important respite to recharge during the day. From there, Hunter and Milly focus on servicing patients within their designated floors, Hunter spends most of him time with the hospital’s cancer and gastroenterology patients, while Milly attends to neurology and eating disorders patients. Both dogs also make stops for other inpatient referrals. The pair also take part in planned programming inside and outside the hospital, including sessions for staff. A brief daily interaction with a service dog like Hunter or Milly can greatly reduce stress and increase emotional and physical wellbeing, bringing a measure of joy that lasts well after the visit ends.
But like all great things, it is the support behind the scenes that allows this initiative to flourish. The Children’s Mercy Facility Dog Program is only made possible due to the generous backing from those that choose to give, including individual donors, local businesses, organizations and larger benefactors.
Given the immeasurable impact Hunter and Milly have on patients and their families, rest assured that any donation made to the program is money well spent. Aimee sums it up: “The deep connections the kids make with these dogs is so special and unique.”
Spend a day at Children’s Mercy, and it will quickly become clear that Hunter and Milly are as skillful in their roles as any healthcare worker at the hospital.
Sometimes, the best prescription is simply a visit from your favorite furry friend.
Never underestimate the power of a wagging tail.
Want to help? Donate at: https://support.childrensmercy.org/MeetMilly