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Pawsome Care CLEAN AS A (DOG) WHISTLE Before heading to The Children's Hospital of San Antonio, animal assistants are given a thorough bath and brushing. This ensures they don't bring germs or shed excessively while visiting. I WANT THAT! If your child is currently healing at The Children's Hospital of San Antonio or is scheduled to be with us soon, ask your physician about the opportunities to have your child interact with one of our animal assistants. Because sometimes, it takes four paws to help children feel better. If you've ever had the stresses of life licked away by a dog, you know the effect pets have on you. What if they could be used in a hospital setting? At The Children's Hospital of San Antonio, we've been doing just that for nearly two decades. Through animal-assisted therapy and visitation, young patients get their spirits lifted and health improved, courtesy of our four-legged assistants. Working Like a Dog "The Children's Hospital of San Antonio has always been a leader in health care for innovative and unusual services," says Vicki Squires, MMEd, CCLS, director of Child Life/Life Development Services at The Children's Hospital of San Antonio. "With our animal-assisted therapy and visitation, young patients can just be children." Therapy dogs require a calm demeanor that doesn't excite easily. Before participating in animal-assisted therapy, the dog must undergo extensive obedience training. But dogs aren't the only ones that prepare. The dog's handler must do so, as well. This helps ensure the therapy team consistently provides a top- notch, positive experience for our smallest, most complex patients. Inside The Children's Hospital of San Antonio, animal assistants can be spotted in physical therapy, hanging out in patient rooms, relaxing during group reading time and elsewhere. Before a dog assistant makes an appearance, however, the child's guardians and physician must grant permission. Pawsome Results It's a fact that animals help lower blood pressure and improve mood. While at The Children's Hospital of San Antonio, children who struggle to move often find the strength and flexibility to pet a dog, which helps the child recover faster. And young patients who feel blue or nervous often feel better after encountering pet assistants. "Going to the hospital can be a scary thing for youngsters. Seeing and petting a dog helps children relax and forget where they are for a little while," says Suzanne Stanley, a retired nurse who brings her 12-year-old golden retriever, Cindy, to the Hospital regularly. "It doesn't get any better than that." To learn more about services offered at The Children's Hospital of San Antonio, please call (844) 778-KIDS or visit chofsa.org/findadoc. Vicki Squires, MMEd, CCLS 11 The Children's Hospital of San Antonio • chofsa.org