A wagging tail can go a long way in a hospital. Across the United States, specially trained facility dogs are helping young patients cope with the challenges of treatment and recovery. These four-legged companions offer comfort during difficult moments and help bring a sense of normalcy to an unfamiliar environment. For many children, they have become an important part of the healing process.
These ‘specially trained’ dogs are providing emotional support to kids during hospital stays
When 5-year-old Calvin Owens stepped onto a patio at Cincinnati Children’s Hospital after spending more than a month indoors, he was excited to see a familiar face waiting for him. That friend was Hadley, one of the hospital’s facility dogs.
Although Owens was connected to tubes and medical equipment, he tried to stand beside his wheelchair and throw a ball for the Labrador-Golden Retriever mix. Hadley eagerly chased after it and brought it back, drawing smiles from the young patient and encouragement from those around him. “Look how good you’re doing!” her handler, Schellie Scott, said.
The heartwarming interaction is the kind of moment hospital staff witness regularly, as per the Independent. Unlike therapy dogs that visit occasionally with volunteers, facility dogs work full-time in hospitals and are specially trained to support children through medical procedures, long recoveries, and stressful treatments. They often work alongside child life specialists and other healthcare professionals, becoming a familiar presence for patients and their families.
According to experts, these dogs do much more than lift spirits. Research has found that animal-assisted interventions can help lower anxiety, reduce stress, and even decrease the amount of pain children report feeling. Studies have also linked interactions with facility dogs to lower blood pressure and improved overall well-being.
At Cincinnati Children’s, Hadley spends her days visiting patients throughout the hospital. Some children play games with her, while others simply enjoy sitting quietly by her side. 14-year-old Aspen Franklin said Hadley’s visits make a noticeable difference. “She has a calming presence,” Franklin said. “That is a comfort to me.”
The dogs can also motivate children to stay active during recovery. 11-year-old Bethany Striggles, who recently completed chemotherapy, enjoys playing fetch with Hadley in the hospital hallways. “She helps me exercise more,” Striggles said. “She’s energetic and happy and always likes to see me.”
For families spending weeks or even months in the hospital, the dogs provide a welcome reminder of home. Their popularity is evident throughout the facility, where photos, letters, and handmade drawings from grateful patients celebrate the beloved canine caregivers. For children facing some of life’s toughest challenges, a visit from Hadley can turn an ordinary hospital day into something a little brighter.
