The Medical Center campus patients and employees will no longer think of the solar system when they hear someone say Pluto. That’s the name of the newest animal-assisted therapy dog.
The two-year-old Golden Retriever joins Golden Retrievers Elsa, Bailey and Pinto, who also serve patients at Texas Children’s in the Texas Medical Center, and Golden doodle/Golden Retriever mix, Cohen, who serves patients at Texas Children’s Hospital The Woodlands campus.
All five dogs are part of hospital’s Pawsitive Play Program, which is designed to enhance to enhance the emotional well-being of pediatric patients by reducing their anxiety, perception of pain and fear of hospitalization. Pluto will provide goal-oriented, therapeutic interventions to those in clinics in Mark A. Wallace Tower. He is generously supported by a gift from the Barnhart family and spends his days with animal-assisted therapy coordinator, Hanna Kuhn.
“As a dog handler, even walking down the hall can brighten a patient or staff members day so I love that we get to bring smiles to everyone we encounter,” Kuhn said. “I think patients automatically feel calmer when they are able to pet the dog during preparations and procedures, so I am looking forward to bringing Pluto into the outpatient environment and supporting patient’s positive coping during procedures by utilizing Pluto’s presence as a coping tool and distraction option.”
During his hospital debut and first day on the job, Pluto visited patients in Mark A. Wallace Tower so that he and Kuhn could get acquainted with them and their families.
“When we were here a few months ago for surgery, we met Pinto and my daughter was so excited,” Kristin Moreno, mother of patient Claire Moreno said. “The dogs are a great way to motivate her now that we have to come back for therapy.”
Just like any other employee, Pluto has an official hospital badge. He spends time without his vest playing with his toys and to ensure he always looks his best, he is groomed weekly and his paws are wiped down daily. Before making his journey to Texas Children’s, Pluto underwent extensive training at Canine Assistants, a non-profit in Atlanta, which has matched more than 1,500 service dogs with individuals and hospitals.
Pluto is extremely friendly, so whenever you see our newest four-legged employee make sure you greet him with lots of hugs and affection.
He loves to meet new people and is very social which means I get to talk to new coworkers all the time that I normally wouldn’t get to meet so that has been very fun. He is also so tall which means his head is always at the perfect height to be pet and I love that he makes it so easy for us to love on him. He likes to snuggle up next to me when he is tired and it just makes me feel so loved.