Facility dogs bring comfort to patients, staff during celebration at Norton Children’s

LOUISVILLE, Ky. (WNKY) – A group of specially trained facility dogs took center stage this week at Norton Children’s Hospital as part of a celebration highlighting their role in patient care.

Norton Healthcare and Norton Children’s marked Facility Dog Week with a series of events, including a “Yappy Hour” for hospital staff. The event gave employees a chance to interact with three of the hospital’s facility dogs – Gavin, Duncan and Luna – while enjoying a brief break before their shifts.

Facility dogs are trained service animals that work alongside medical teams to support patients and families during hospital stays. Rachel Dawson, a certified child life specialist and facility dog handler at Norton Children’s, said the animals play a critical role in helping patients cope with the stress of medical treatment.

“Facility dogs are trained service animals that work in the healthcare environment to help patients and families cope with the hospital and meet therapeutic goals,” Dawson said.

The dogs assist in a variety of ways, from providing comfort during procedures to encouraging movement during recovery. Dawson said their presence can immediately shift the mood in a patient’s room, helping children feel more at ease in an unfamiliar environment.

“They are a calm presence that helps patients and families,” she said. “When a dog walks in the room, it automatically can change how a patient and family feel about being at the hospital.”

The Heel, Dog, Heal program includes 11 facility dogs working across Norton Healthcare and Norton Children’s locations. The program is funded entirely through donations to the Norton Healthcare Foundation and Norton Children’s Hospital Foundation.

In addition to supporting patients, the dogs also provide a morale boost for hospital staff, who were invited to spend time with them during the week’s events.

Dawson said the dogs have become a beloved part of the hospital community.

“Our dogs are basically celebrities here,” she said. “They’re a huge asset to our patients, families and our staff.”

More information about the Heel, Dog, Heal program, including ways to donate, can be found on Norton Healthcare’s website.