LOUISVILLE, Ky. — Oldham County Pediatrics is now incorporating “man’s best friend” into their day-to-day routines.
What You Need To Know
- Rosie and Angus are certified therapy dogs at Oldham County Pediatrics
- Patients have the option of whether or not they’d like a therapy dog present at appointment
- Doctors said the dogs have been a huge help in comforting patients
Angus and Rosie are the new four-legged addition to the Oldham County Pediatrics staff. Both dogs have had their certifications for therapy dog, good citizen, basic obedience and public space.
Dr. Amy Bindner, Rosie’s owner and Dr. Ashli Collins, Angus’ owner thought it’d be a great addition to the office to help comfort the patient.
“Any of those fears about not knowing what to say or kind of being shy to talk, all of that kind of drops as soon as they walk in and see a dog and I think it really just relaxes them,” Amy Bindner, MD at Oldham County Pediatrics said.
For patients who may have a big appointment such as vaccinations, the therapy dogs play a vital role.
“She’ll jump up on the table and sit next to the kids and give them something to do. Typically pet the dog and focus on the dog and that kind of takes their mind off getting a shot for a few minutes while they’re able to sneak the shot in and get it done,” parent, Matt Nelson said.
Any patient of any age has the option of whether or not they’d like a therapy dog present at their appointment.
“I think for some of my older kids if they’re here with anxiety or some mental health things, it's just nice to have a dog to pet on, to love on when they’re telling me their story of what's going on,” Ashli Collins, MD, Oldham County Pediatrics said.
For parents, it’s been a huge help.
“If the parent has something they really want to talk to me about, the kid will get on the floor and play with angus and the parent and I can have a very direct conversation just between the two of us while they play with Angus,” Collins said.
The therapy dogs have become a stress reliever not only to the patients Angus and Rosie tend to, but also the ones who work side by side with them everyday.
“Sometimes I'll walk down the hall and see one of my staff in the cubby with him, loving on him. So they’ve really enjoyed having him here too. They often bring him too many snacks and give him too much love but he likes that too,” Collins said.
Ultimately, Oldham County Pediatrics hopes the therapy dogs will help families not just with their current visits but their future health and wellness.
“We really want to make the experience as positive as possible for our patients and families. If you start off life with a great attitude about going to the doctor you’re much more likely to take care of your health more and not have this ingrained fear of going into an office. So if it starts in a positive way hopefully it’ll continue that way,” Bindner said.
Rosie is currently still in the final stages of her training. Eventually she will be stationed at the Summit location while Angus is at the LaGrange location.