Pediatric patients at Sanford Children’s Hospital in Fargo now have a new form of support in the form of Fox, a one-year-old golden retriever and the region’s first-ever facility dog. Unlike therapy dogs, facility dogs are specifically trained to assist in a healthcare setting, providing comfort and aiding in patient care.
**Key Features of the Facility Dog Program**:
– **Patient Comfort**: Fox can be present during medical procedures to comfort children and families, assisting with pain management, procedural support, and emotional well-being.
– **Clinical Goals**: The dog can help patients achieve various clinical goals through outcome-driven play and support.
– **Family Support**: Fox offers sibling and family support during times of pain and stress.
The NutriSource Facility Dog Program, made possible by a $200,000 donation from NutriSource Pet Foods, is entirely funded by philanthropy, ensuring no cost to the families. This program is the first in the Fargo region and the entire Sanford Health footprint to use animal-assisted therapy to enhance patient care.
Fox’s training was provided by Canine Assistants, a nonprofit organization that specializes in educating and placing service dogs in healthcare settings.