Five years ago, Stefani Williams launched the Canines for Coping program through the Huntsville Hospital Foundation. This initiative, the first hospital facility dog program in Alabama, brought five specially trained dogs to Huntsville Women and Children Hospital,
Huntsville Hospital, and Madison Hospital. These dogs provide joy and emotional support to both pediatric and adult patients.
The golden retrievers--Asteroid, Orbit, and Paxton--and the black labs--Apple and Vivian--serve as full-time hospital employees. Each dog has an employee badge, a business card, and works 40 hours per week with their handlers. The handlers are Certified Child Life Specialists with backgrounds in child development. The program is free for patients, funded entirely by community donations to the Huntsville Hospital Foundation. “The dogs work in different areas,” Stefani Williams explains. “For instance, Paxton, whose handler is Megan Banks, works in pre-surgical and radiology. He helps reduce children’s anxiety before medical exams and supports pregnant women on bedrest.” In Outpatient Physical Therapy, children play ball with Paxton, walk with him on the balance beam, and brush his hair. Orbit, handled by Victoria Smith, a Certified Child Life Specialist, works with the St. Jude Affiliate Clinic in the pediatric and intensive care units. Smith uses Orbit to help reduce stress and anxiety for pediatric patients and their families through education, preparation, and play.
Orbit lies on the children’s beds during medical tests, helps them express their fears, and encourages them to walk after surgical procedures. “Orbit and the children do art activities and make friendship bracelets together, which helps reduce their anxiety,” Williams says. “The children become pen pals with Orbit, writing him letters. When children focus on the dogs, the hospital feels more like a normal place.” Orbit comforts a young preschooler who receives regular treatment by jumping into her bed and snuggling with her. “It’s so sweet to see how Orbit impacts this child’s life, "Williams says.
“She loves him, and he has become a special part of her life.”
The support dogs help patients who are often reluctant to talk to medical staff. When a dog enters the room, patients open up, sharing their fears with the dog. The dogs also bond with family members, relieving their stress. “These dogs are trained to know who needs them the most,” Williams explains. “When a dog enters a patient’s room, he intuitively goes to the person who needs him. If it’s a parent, the dog will lie on their lap. If it’s a child, the dog will jump into bed and snuggle. As patients pet and focus on the dog, they calm down, and their pain levels decrease.”
“They know the dog loves them unconditionally, and it’s safe to share their secrets,” Williams says. “The dogs help patients trust us. They build a strong bond with the dog, which helps them process what’s going on.”
The Canines for Coping program has transformed the patient experience, especially for pediatric patients. “When dogs are present, the children are less scared. It feels more like home,” Williams says. “Seeing the dogs bond with and support the patients during tough moments makes all the difference in these hospitals.”