New facility dog brings comfort to trauma department patients at McLane Children’s Medical Center By Olivia Levada Texas
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TEMPLE, Texas According to Baylor Scott & White, McLane Children’s Medical Center receives 30,000 patients via emergency services per year, and more than 3,000 visits in the outpatient clinic each year. With a recent expansion, those numbers have increased.
Social workers at the hospital have particularly seen an increase in children coming into their trauma department amid the pandemic.
New staff member Gigi the facility dog is here to help lighten their load. Gigi is the new kid on the block at McLane Children’s Medical Center in Temple.
Patients in the emergency department at Baylor Scott & White McLane Childrenâs Medical Center are often greeted with smiles â and sometimes a wagging tail.
The Temple hospital has expanded its Pawsitive Pals program with the arrival of Gigi, a certified therapy dog from Canine Companions. Gigi joins Lorenzo, who has been greeted with hugs and compassionate snuggles from patients and co-workers for three years.
The newest addition to McLaneâs Pawsitive Pals team loves the attention she receives, according to handlers Laura Ingram and Rebecca Holmstrom.
âShe definitely gets excited when visiting patients,â Ingram said. âShe greets them with a wag, and she enjoys what she does.â
McLane Children s gets second facility dog to help children during life s scariest moments | 6 News Exclusive
McLane Children s hospital in Temple is using one dog to befriend children during life s scariest moments. Author: Leslie Draffin Updated: 5:05 PM CST March 10, 2021
TEMPLE, Texas We know dogs are man s best friend. Now, McLane Children s hospital in Temple is using one dog to befriend children during life s scariest moments. In this 6 News Exclusive, 6 News Anchor Leslie Draffin introduces you to their new facility dog, Gigi.
For children who ve been abused or are experiencing mental health issues, the hospital can be a terrifying place during an already terrifying time. But now, McLane Children s Hospital in Temple has a new tool to help children cope. Her name is Gigi.