Central PA Medicine - February 2017 - 18

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Community, Health & Wellness

from Kaia, but we often see kids and teens
who may be worried, anxious, in pain, or just
having a 'bad day' that really would benefit
from having Kaia present. Kaia can provide
a much needed distraction upon entering a
radiology exam room, where the machines and
equipment can be overwhelming due to their
size.  Kaia can also jump up onto the exam
table to help demonstrate to an anxious child
exactly how to lie still.  This has worked great
with several of our young patients, who often
won't even approach the table because of their
uncertainty.  While we will provide other Child
Life interventions including pre-procedure
preparation in an age-appropriate manner
to the child, sometimes, it takes a bit more
encouragement and reassurance to help a child
or teen feel empowered to get through their
study successfully. Often, Kaia can be that extra
encouragement.  For many kids visiting radiology,
seeing a dog is completely unexpected, so we also
love seeing the pure joy and smiles she brings
to so many faces. Staff is often comforted by
Kaia as well; if a team or staff member is having
a particularly tough day, a few minutes of Kaia
can turn their day around!

few weeks at the hospital was with a 4-year-old
little boy who needed a CT scan.  The child was
terrified. Kaia and I were called by our other
Child Life Specialist, Alicia, as a last attempt
to calm the patient before his CT.  We found
him in the CT scan room, standing far from
the machine, and seemingly nervous.  When
Kaia entered the room, he was very excited, and
immediately wanted to pet her.  We used this
to our advantage, asking Kaia to hop up onto
the lowered CT table. The child was able to
stand and pet Kaia as she sat, and then as she
laid on the CT table.  As the child warmed up,
and calmed down, we asked him to sit next to
As a handler of Kaia, describe patients' reactions Kaia on the CT table. This was a big step for
when she visits. Do you think Kaia knows patients us!  As he became more comfortable, we were
that she visits are sick?
able to ask the patient if he would like to give
Everyone that has met Kaia seems to imme- Kaia a 'high five' through the "donut" of the
diately love her.  Her sweet and calm disposition CT machine.  To do this, I took Kaia round
make it impossible not to smile and want to give the back of the CT machine and lifted her up
her a big hug.  Even staff or families who have enough for her paw to reach the child, who
been hesitant around dogs in the past tell me needed to lay flat on the CT table with his arms
they aren't afraid to interact with Kaia. Her eyes extended up above his head. The CT techs and
are deep and warm, and I think that's something Alicia, who were also in the room, seamlessly
everyone can feel immediately. Kaia interacts made sure we were able to carefully move the
with many kids who aren't particularly 'sick' (in child on the CT table into the "donut" to give
other words, there are no physical signs that Kaia a high five. We convinced him to hold
the child has a particular diagnosis or disease), still for just a few seconds, put lead aprons on
however, Kaia amazes me at just how careful his parents who stayed by his side during his
and gentle she is around all children, whether CT scan, and rushed out of the room, Kaia
two years old or 16 years old. If a child has an included, to quickly get the CT images that
IV, a cast or sling, or an amputation, Kaia does were needed.The interaction left the child
not act any differently, but she seems to almost giggling and his parents relieved. We brought
know to be extra gentle around those areas of Kaia back into the CT room after the test to
the child's body. 
allow the child a few more minutes of fun with
Kaia before he departed with his parents, CT
Can you describe a time that you can remember successfully completed!  It was a proud moment
when Kaia really touched someone's life as a for everyone - I left the CT area with Kaia
service dog?
on her leash, and tears in my eyes - a true
One of Kaia's first "big moments" in her first 'proud mom' moment. This event felt flawless
18 February 2017 Central PA Medicine

and perfectly rehearsed, though we hadn't
practiced or rehearsed it at all - it was exactly
what we had hoped Kaia would be able to help
us accomplish, and the first time I truly knew
that having her here on our team is a blessing.
I will remember this moment for a long time!
Is there anything you would like to say about
how people can volunteer to become a service dog
owner/trainer?
While Canine Assistants is located in Alpharetta, Georgia, there are many other service
dog agencies that look for support as well. 
Susquehanna Service Dogs is a local organization that raises service dogs for recipients in
our area.We selected Canine Assistants due
to their history of successfully placing many
facility dogs in children's hospitals across the
country. I'd encourage anyone interested in an
opportunity to assist an organization who raises
service dogs to reach out to Canine Assistants,
Susquehanna Service Dogs, Pilot Dogs, Inc., or
other service dog organizations of their choice. I
have seen firsthand what an incredible impact
service dogs have in the lives of individual
recipients and their families, and in children's
hospitals like ours! 
Closing comments?
There is, of course, cost associated with the
training, placement, and continued care of each
facility dog, but my hope is that we can expand
our facility dog program in the future, adding
additional facility dogs to our Child Life team
to benefit more of our pediatric patients!
If you are interested in donating to the Child
Life Program, Kaia, and the goal of expanding
the facility dog program you may email giving@
hmc.psu.edu.
http://www.dauphincms.org
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