Two therapy dogs are becoming famous for the joy they bring to young patients at the University of Iowa Health Care Stead Family Children’s Hospital.
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Nacho and Corrin, the first two dogs with the hospital’s new Facility Dog Program, have been helping raise the spirits of kids who are struggling with treatments and recovery. Nacho recently paid a visit to a little boy named Mason, and they two became fast friends.
In a special series called “Mic’d up with Corrin and Nacho,” the four-legged healers hang out with patients while a microphone captures the conversations. Nacho and Mason hosted the first episode.
While the two hung out, they played games and talked about cars and other pets. They also shared a pair of awesome star sunglasses. During the entire visit, the sweet pooch lay in Mason’s bed and offered endless snuggles while the little boy chattered away.
Nacho And Corrin Spent Over A Year Learning How To Be Children’s Hospital Therapy Dogs
Nacho and Corrin are often on-site to encourage kids to walk and even teach them how to take medications, according to a press release. They also help ease anxiety and fear and offer endless emotional support.
“Our new facility dogs are very important members of the health care team.”Racheal Niensteadt, CCLS, Manager of the Child Life Specialist Program at UI Stead Family Children’s Hospital, said. “Together with their handlers, Corrin and Nacho will help children achieve specific clinical goals through animal-assisted interventions. We are very excited to offer this transformative care to pediatric patients and their families at our hospital.”
To become therapy dogs, handler Emily Bradley said Nacho and Corrin went through a “bond-based instruction program through a nonprofit called Canine Assistants.” They joined the program when they were only a few weeks old and spent more than a year learning the ropes.
Bonding with their handlers and the children doesn’t just benefit the patients and their families either. It’s also great for the dogs. Because of their relationships with humans, they’re “happier” pups.
“The idea is that because we’re asking these dogs to help our patients lead happier lives, the dogs themselves deserve to be happy,” says Aly Humphrey, MS, CCLS, CTRS, handler for Corrin. “It’s a relationship that benefits all of us.”
You can find the source of this story’s featured image here.
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