It’s been more than five impactful years since the Pawsitive Play Program started at Texas Children’s, breaking ground as the first program of its kind in the Texas Medical Center.
With the generous support of Judy and Bobby Shakouls, our first therapy dog, Elsa, and her handler and Child Life Specialist Sarah Herbek became pioneers – forging a path that would leave a lasting imprint on nearly 2,000 patients and their families in more than 12,000 bedside interventions.
Now 7 years old, Elsa will retire from Texas Children’s on April 8 and take Herbek with her. It’s a bittersweet goodbye for everyone the duo has encountered during their service, including many team members across the organization.
“Over the years with Elsa by my side, I have been inspired by the thousands of patients and families we’ve met and so grateful to have become part of their journeys,” said Herbek, who had been a child life specialist for two years when she learned about funding for the new animal-assisted therapy program and found Elsa.
After completing a year-and-a-half of training, the pair were ready to begin helping patients in acute care.
“I have witnessed incredible resiliency that oftentimes I wouldn’t have believed if I hadn’t seen it myself,” Herbek said. “There is truly nothing I am more proud of than the growth and the impact of the Pawsitive Play Program. Years from now, I hope our wonderful patients and families will think back on their time at Texas Children’s Hospital and remember that in their darkest days, the love of a golden retriever made their experience just a little bit easier.”
‘The Magic of Elsa’
After piloting the program, Herbek and the Child Life team learned more about Elsa’s temperament and found she would be ideally suited to work with patients in the Pediatric Intensive Care Unit (PICU) and eventually Oncology, where Elsa has spent close to five years caring for those in need.
In fact, Elsa and Herbek dedicated their last three weeks at Texas Children’s entirely to our pediatric cancer patients – sitting with them, keeping them calm and bringing joy to stressful days.
“By the time I meet the child, they have usually come through the emergency center, been poked and prodded and told that something is very wrong. Everything is new and unfamiliar. The sounds, the smells, the people in scrubs who keep coming into a room that looks sterile and nothing like home,” Herbek said. “They fear the unknown or worse, what they have just learned and oftentimes at this point they begin to shut down. But then Elsa walks in the room.
“The mood of the room immediately changes. Suddenly they see something familiar. Something friendly. Something that feels like home. Elsa hops up in their bed and they feel safe. This interaction changes everything. Many times, this is the first time their parents will see their child smile since walking through the hospital doors,” she said.
That was the case for the Vigil family, whose 14-year-old daughter, Christiana, has greatly benefitted from the comfort provided by Elsa and Herbek throughout multiple hospitalizations and a recent bone marrow transplant at Texas Children’s.
“Our daughter has spent many months in the hospital since her diagnosis with the most recent stay being 70 days straight which included Christmas and New Year’s,” said Keri Vigil, Christian’s mother. “There were times that Sarah and Queen Elsa were the only thing that brought a smile to Christiana’s face. ?They will forever hold a special place in our hearts and we will be forever grateful for all they have done for our daughter.”
Herbek refers to it as “the magic of Elsa.”
“Elsa becomes their loyal friend. One who is not judgmental of how they look when they lose their hair, the new scar they have or that they use a wheelchair now when it’s too painful to walk,” Herbek said. “There will be bumps along the way, but there is never a doubt that during their stay, they will see her wet nose push open their hospital room door as she makes her way to their beds.
“Elsa is there to see them through their whole journey. The good days, the bad days, the days when even she can’t help. She’s there. She will be there with them until the end because she has become part of the family.”
A fond farewell
With Elsa’s departure, therapy dogs Bailey, Pinto and Pluto will fill Elsa’s paw prints at the Medical Center campus and ensure our patients receive ongoing love and attention. Other therapy dogs in our system include Cohen at The Woodlands hospital campus, and our newest member, Angus, who joined West Campus in December 2021.
Among the canines’ biggest fans are their two-legged colleagues – many of whom have poured out messages of love and support for Elsa and Sarah in the days leading up to their departure. You can leave your own well-wishes and sweet words of good-bye by clicking HERE.
“Sarah and Elsa – you have bettered so many lives throughout your time with Texas Children’s. I am so grateful that I was able to spend time with you both. Thank you for bringing so many smiles to the faces of our patients, their families and staff. Congratulations to you, and enjoy retirement! People may forget many things such as names, titles and words but “people will never forget how you made them feel.”…. We love you!,” wrote Kelsey Mihm.
“Dear Sarah and Elsa, you have pioneered AAT at TCH and your legacy will forever touch patients, families and staff for decades to come. Wishing you love, happiness, peace, rest, and bountiful joy on your next adventures,” wrote Jess Casas.
“Elsa, some people say that dogs don’t belong in hospitals, but then neither do children. It was really cool working in a hospital with a dog like you whose sole purpose was to cheer patients up. And you sure did the job, from what I hear. We’ll miss you! Have a happy “retirement” and enjoy taking a great big nap every day. You did good,” wrote Jerry Miller.
For more information about Texas Children’s Pawsitive Play Program, click here.
