There is something universal about loving a dog. Their warm smiles, wagging tails and kind demeanor have a way of uniting people in a shared obsession. This is undeniably true about the one and only golden girl of Texas Children’s Pawsitive Play team, Bailey.
Bailey’s time at Texas Children’s began in 2018 right after completing training. “I jokingly say Bailey graduated top of her class because I got her right at a year and a half,” Child Life Specialist and handler Adair Winget laughed. The two were matched after an extensive interview and application process, and it was love at first sight. “Bailey was made for me, and she was made for this environment. This is what she was created for. This is her purpose in life, and she has done nothing short of succeeding in that.”
The Pawsitive Play program began in December 2015 with a donation from Bobby and Judy Shackouls. Elsa came first, “the Renaissance dog,” and she worked all throughout the hospital. A few years later, Bailey came along, thanks to a generous donation and pledge from CEO Mark A. Wallace and his wife, Shannon, in memory of their black Labrador, Cadence. “Texas Children’s has so many patients and families staying here who often need solace through what can often be the most difficult journey they’ve ever had to walk through, and we know that facility dogs can provide exactly the cheer and comfort they may need during a challenging moment,” Wallace said. “So, one day Shannon tells me that we should sponsor a second facility dog for other areas of the hospital, and I said, of course we should – let’s do it!”
It was determined from the outset Bailey would be working in Legacy Tower, which meant she would be serving the PICU, TICU and our top-ranked Heart Center. “We needed the temperament of a very relaxed dog,” explained Adair. “A dog that would be very empathetic and compassionate when laying with children who are suffering from chronic diseases or in intensive care units recovering from surgery.” Bailey was the perfect dog for the job.
Together, she and Adair have seen 1,511 kids in six years and have had thousands of patient encounters. One such patient is Jade, who suffered from the most advanced form of pulmonary hypertension, PVOD, and required a double lung transplant. Jade was mad and scared, but a visit from Bailey and Adair was always welcome. Adair would incorporate whatever Jade was dealing with that week into a craft with Bailey or would explain procedures Bailey had gone through, and they were immediately there at Jade’s bedside after the transplant. “They were instrumental in saving Jade, just as much as the rest of the team,” said Jan, Jade’s mother. Now, Jade is thriving, even coming back for a recent reunion with Bailey and the PICU team.
Another notable patient came in unresponsive from a trauma. The young boy did not respond to stimuli like verbiage or pokes. But his family mentioned his love of dogs and Bailey was up to the challenge. Over the course of several weeks, she and Adair worked with him through PT sessions, having Bailey lay on his chest and doing hand-over-hand petting. Slowly, he began opening his eyes and tracking Bailey. Then, one day as they were leaving, he uttered his first words in months: “Bye, Bailey.” “That is why we do what we do,” Adair asserted.
Dogs don’t keep score. They don’t judge or get frustrated with patients because they won’t take their meds or comply with PT or sit still for the hundredth poke of the day. Bailey and the rest of the Pawsitive Play team represent a safe space for the patients and families of Texas Children’s. “These dogs radiate hope and healing in a place where it is so needed. We are helping them heal from the inside out,” added Adair.
The stress of that weighs on everyone, even a dog. Bailey’s work has been extraordinary, but Adair has begun picking up on cues she is ready for retirement. Just like us, she wants to rest, enjoy time with family and take part in all that “senior” life has to offer. In short: it’s time for her to get to be a dog!
Bailey will be headed for the good life over at her grandparent’s house, “Camp Mimi” as they are fondly calling it. She will continue to be the spoiled princess she’s been within the walls of Texas Children’s for six long years. As beloved as she is here, she is even more dearly loved at home. “She is my soulmate dog,” Adair professed. “This is my partner. This is my sidekick. She is a part of me and forever and always will be.”
It will be emotional working with a new facility dog, but other child life specialists have assured Adair it’s like having a second child – your heart grows to accommodate the new baby. The next dog will come from Canine Companions, the same organization where Angus and Crosby trained. “I’m excited to learn what this new endeavor and future looks like,” Adair stated.
Bailey will be gone physically from Texas Children’s, but her memory and legacy will live on forever. From the countless patients’ and families’ lives she has touched, to the employees who have grown to love her signature move (laying on your feet so you can’t leave), she has truly made a difference. We wish her all the best in a much-deserved retirement and know she’ll do a great job breaking in the new pup!
Want to leave Bailey a farewell message? Head to our Viva Engage page (formerly Yammer) and post your well-wishes, favorite memories and photos and videos!
