MADISON, Wis. — A new volunteer program at UW Health Kids is all about getting patients through ruff days.
UW Health Kids announced it’s launching Caring Canines. Through the new volunteer program, dogs and their owners will make bedside visits to patients, providing “a calming influence, cuddle time and a feeling of normalcy for patients and families during their stay at American Family Children’s Hospital.”
Caring Canines is replacing the Pet Pals therapy program. Pet Pals — a program where volunteer dogs visited patients in group settings twice a week — started in 1996. However, Pet Pals ended because of the pandemic.
Through Caring Canines, patients will be able to have daily dog visits, in their rooms.
Caring Canines is a separate program from CHAMPs — the Canine Health and Medical Pals. The facility dog duo in that program are trained to work with hospital staff for 40 hours “utilizing specific coping plans with patients in certain units in the hospital.”
“We are excited to launch this program and we need the community’s help to get it off the ground,” Katie Glass, UW Health Kids child life education specialist, said. “This program will allow us to expand our efforts to help patients and families cope with the stress and uncertainty of their time in the hospital.”
American Family Children’s Hospital said volunteers must be 18 years old or older. Caring Canines volunteers must visit the hospital with their dogs at least twice a month, and commit to at least one year of volunteering.
To qualify, dogs must be able to sit and lie down on first command, be friendly with other dogs, stay until called with only one command, not excessively bark or whine, walk loosely on a leash without pulling, follow commands without treats and be up to date on all vaccines.
To apply for the program, funded fully through philanthropic efforts, volunteers need to complete a multi-step application process, which included a temperament test. Click here for more information.