We love the Ronald McDonald House!

We recently visited one of the Ronald McDonald houses on the campus of All Children's Hospital Johns Hopkins Medicine with our therapy dogs, Lady and Merlin. Lise, the Vounteer Coordinator, gave us a tour and shared the history of the Ronald McDonald House with us. 

Caring for a sick child while far away from home is difficult, expensive and unsettling. For 35 years, the Ronald McDonald House of Tampa Bay has been helping children with challenging medical needs, and their families, stay close together during difficult times. Since 1980, our four Tampa Bay Ronald McDonald Houses have comforted and cared for over 48,000 sick children and their families.

Lady and Merlin enjoyed checking out this wonderful facility.  We will be visiting the Ronald McDonald House each month.  Lady and Merlin are looking forward to providing a welcome distraction to children and adults staying at the house. As children interact with dogs, they almost immediately forget their troubles, the anxiety they feel, or the procedure they may be having.  Parents smile when they see the child's enthusiasm and giggle while the dog does a trick or rolls over for a belly rub. 

We are thrilled with the opportunity to provided service to this wonderful organization and the families who visit the house.

Therapy Thursday: Meet Webster!

On Therapy Thursday, we highlight other Therapy Animals and the services they provide.

We met Webster and his owner, George, recently on a visit to the Family Resource Center Library at All Children' s Hospital.  He's part of the Pet Therapy program at the hospital.  Webster is a big lovable teddy-bear of a dog who loves to be loved!  

Webster is a Greater Swiss Mountain Dog, a.k.a. "Swissie", who is about three years old.  George told us that Webster has 7 other Swissie foster brothers and sisters because his wife rescues them.  When she can't find homes for them, she keeps them...so now she has eight!  Webster has a beautiful coat with black, white, and rust markings.  It is easy to picture him on the Swiss Alps!  His favorite activities are being read to, visiting children in the hospital, eating, and playing with Kai, another rescue Swiss dog.  He is great at kissing and making people happy, and he just loves a good belly rub!

Studies show that reading to dogs can improve children's reading and communication skills by employing a powerful method: reading to an animal.  If you would like to review the research, visit R.E.A.D., by Intermountain Therapy Animals.

Visit to All Children's Hospital with Maya, the Therapy Dog

Maya, a Golden Retriever Therapy Dog and her owner, Bobbie, invited me to join her at All Children's Hospital Family Resource Center Library for "Paws to Read."  Children of all ages were invited to gobble up their favorite Thanksgiving stories while connecting with a canine companion. 

Maya is one of the friendly ‘listening dogs’ from the Child Life Pet Therapy program at the hospital. 

Participating in this literacy program is a wonderful way for all children to strengthen their reading skills while they relax and enjoy this season of Thanksgiving.

About Maya: 

Maya was born around 10 years ago.  We're not sure exactly how old she is because she was rescued by her owner, Bobbie.  She was adopted through Adopt a Golden rescue organization in Atlanta.  She had been rescued from a puppy mill, where she was forced to live in a cage and give birth to multiple litters.  Although she was a very anxious and nervous dog when she was adopted 6 years ago, her new owners showed her great care and love.  They even gave her special doggie massages, called the "Tellington Touch" when she got stressed out, calming her down with the command "Settle".

Maya visits kids on their care units at All Children's Hospital, she participates in the public library system's "READing Paws" program, and visits the Ronald McDonald House, but her very favorite activity is listening to children read to her.  She even frequently falls asleep to a good book.

 

Therapy Thursday: Halloween Parade at All Children's Hospital

On Therapy Thursday, we highlight other Therapy Animals and the services they provide.

Last year, several of the Pet Therapy team dogs and their owners visited children at All Children's Hospital Johns Hopkins Medicine to bring joy to kids who may not be able to Trick or Treat at home.  All Children's employees host a Trick or Treat parade for the kids who are hospitalized over Halloween.  Including the Pet Therapy team in this parade made it even more special this year.

Therapy Thursday: Meet Tucker!

On Therapy Thursday, we highlight other Therapy Animals and the services they provide.

Tucker volunteers in the Paws to Read program at All Children's Hospital's Family Resource Center Library.  Tucker loves being read to by hospital patients and families.  Kids also love spending time reading with our Pet Therapy dogs.

Studies show that reading to dogs can improve children's reading and communication skills by employing a powerful method: reading to an animal.  If you would like to review the research, visit R.E.A.D., by Intermountain Therapy Animals.

Our dogs, Lady and Merlin, are certified R.E.A.D. dogs (Reading Education Assistance Dogs).  Lady and Merlin have applied to participate in Paws to Read at All Children's Hospital in the future...so stay tuned!

Therapy Thursday: Meet Fletcher!

On Therapy Thursday, we highlight other Therapy Animals and the services they provide.


Fletcher, this therapy dog, LOVES kids. (And not just kids with chihuahuas on their shirt.) Animal-assisted therapy can significantly reduce pain, anxiety, depression in people with a range of health issues. And it makes kids smile. We like that too!

Fletcher is a part of the pet therapy team who volunteer at All Children's Hospital Johns Hopkins Medicine.

Therapy Thursday: Meet Amos, the Therapy Horse!

On Therapy Thursday, we highlight other Therapy Animals and the services they provide.

Carrots or kisses? Amos the Wonder Horse likes them both.

Amos is a miniature registered therapy horse who visited the kids at All Children's Hospital Johns Hopkins Medicine on Monday and scored a few kisses from Ellie while Zoie looked on. At just a little more than three feet tall Amos is the perfect size for these kids.

Amos is no ordinary horse. Standing only three feet tall, this tiny equine is known world-wide for bringing smiles everywhere he goes. His basketball skills have made him an international star, but it’s his therapy visits that touch the hearts of so many.

Amos is also the first and only miniature therapy horse to have his own bullying prevention program – Just Say Whoa™ to Bullying. This innovative program utilizes animal-assisted activities to help teach children.

Therapy Thursday: Meet Boomer!

On Therapy Thursday, we highlight other Therapy Animals and the services they provide.

Boomer is one of several certified therapy dogs that make rounds at All Children's Hospital Johns Hopkins Medicine to provide their own kind of special care.

In a hospital setting, the appearance of a dog can a provide a positive focus for patients, their families and staff alike. Boomer is just one of many volunteer dogs that serve at the hospital.

Therapy dogs, like Boomer, bring a smile to the patients and their families, and make their hospital stay more cheerful. Certified Pet Therapy Dogs, along with their owners, visit patients’ bedside.  When a child sees a cuddly dog in during their hospital stay, their eyes light up and their anxiety floats away.