These Three Retrievers Work Full-Time to Help Sick Children Feel Better
On 5/6/21 at 12:23 AM EDT
Kaia, Becky and Pilot are three retrievers that help comfort children undergoing treatment at Penn State Health Children s Hospital in Hershey, Pennsylvania. Together, they help lower children s stress and provide diversions and comfort during their stay.
During the first 14 to 24 months of their lives, the dogs were trained at a Georgia-based facility called Canine Assistants Incorporated. There, they learned how to communicate with their handlers, provide non-threatening comfort to sick children and navigate around medical devices like IV poles and wheelchairs, the hospital said.
Now, each dog works about 40 hours a week, with time set aside for walks, naps and relaxation.