NYC Hospitals Deploy 'Doctor Dogs' to Aid in Pediatric Patient Recovery
Specially trained facility dogs are helping hospitalized children manage anxiety, cope with medical procedures, and find moments of normalcy during treatment.
Facility dogs are increasingly becoming a vital part of the healing process for young patients at New York City hospitals, offering comfort and support that goes beyond traditional medical care. At Children's Hospital at Montefiore Einstein (CHAM) in the Bronx and Maimonides Medical Center in Brooklyn, canine companions named Polly and Lev are helping hospitalized children manage anxiety, cope with frightening medical procedures, and find emotional relief.
Polly, a Labrador Retriever at CHAM, recently demonstrated her therapeutic impact when she visited an 8-year-old cancer patient experiencing tremors after a breathing tube was removed. According to Katy Dessick, Polly's handler and a certified child life specialist, the dog's presence significantly calmed the child, reducing the frequency of tremors. "When Polly was present in the bed with this patient, they calmed significantly and their tremors were noticeably less frequent," Dessick told The Post.
These facility dogs, trained to work alongside healthcare professionals, provide more than just a distraction. Experts say they help pediatric patients manage anxiety, navigate intimidating medical treatments, and find the emotional resilience needed to cope with serious illnesses. Research supports these benefits; a 2023 study surveying medical staff at a Japanese children's hospital found that 73% of respondents reported that facility dogs "Always" or "Very often" helped improve patient cooperation with treatment, procedures, and end-of-life care.
Dr. Adit L. Tal, a pediatric hematologist-oncologist at CHAM, noted that children undergoing treatment for blood disorders and cancer often struggle to articulate their feelings to medical teams. "A facility dog gives them the comfort to open up more," Tal said. "In the presence of the dog, I see our patients become more calm and speak more freely to me and the medical team."
Polly, who has been with Dessick for nearly three years, works across CHAM's inpatient and outpatient pediatric units. Her calm demeanor and adaptability allow her to interact effectively with patients of varying physical abilities, making each child feel special. Similarly, Lev, a 7-year-old Labrador Retriever at Maimonides, provides a source of comfort and normalcy. His handler, Gabriel, explained that Lev offers patients a chance to focus on something other than their illness. "For a few minutes, it can be less about being a patient and more about petting a dog, giving him a treat, laughing and just being a kid again."
The dogs also serve as motivators for younger patients. When children are reluctant to participate in physical therapy, walk around, or adhere to treatment plans, the presence of a dog can encourage them to try. This companionship can also help alleviate fears associated with medication, central line insertions, and upcoming procedures, potentially reducing the need for pain medication.
Beyond their direct work with patients, facility dogs also contribute to the well-being of medical staff. The emotional toll of caring for seriously ill children and supporting distressed families can be significant. Dogs like Polly and Lev offer moments of calm, improving workplace morale and fostering stronger rapport between staff, patients, and families, according to a 2022 study on pediatric hospital personnel.
The facility dog programs at CHAM and Maimonides are supported by the EnCourage Kids Foundation, a New York City-based nonprofit dedicated to enhancing the pediatric patient experience through initiatives like pet and music therapy.
For Dessick and Gabriel, the unscripted moments of joy and connection are the most rewarding aspects of their work. A child who may have been quiet or nervous can be seen smiling, petting Lev, and interacting with him, offering a temporary escape from the hospital environment. "That is really what these visits are about, giving the children a little comfort, happiness and normalcy, and helping them forget about the hospital experience, even if it is only for a little while," Gabriel stated.