Introducing the prince of the PICU, the top of the TICU, the heart of the Heart Center: Melman! Our newest facility dog to join the Pawsitive Play team, Melman (or Mel for short) has started his post in the PICU, TICU and Heart Center with primary handler Adair Winget. He will also be working in a secondary capacity in the library with Catherine Zdunkewicz, our Medical Center library coordinator.
Caring for patients the “Melman Way”
Even though Melman is new, Adair is learning too. Melman comes from Canine Companions, and Adair has taken the time to learn his command-based training and incorporate those commands into her physical and occupational therapy sessions. This allows her to co-treat even more effectively because she knows what he will do when given a command, meaning she can provide specific feedback to the physical and occupational therapists.
Patients are already loving watching Melman show off his skills. “He’s really good at fist bumping, and he can balance treats on his nose…he loves to speak, so I’m like ‘Melman, what do you think? Speak.’ And the kids say ‘Okay, I think Melman says we should stay here for 30 more minutes!’” said Adair with a laugh. While he is great for a giggle, he’s even better at what he’s trained to do – provide comfort and care to patients and families.
Melman’s temperament is a little different from Adair’s first facility dog, Bailey, who recently retired. Don’t be fooled by his name and wrinkly face, though. He is no old man, just all playful pup. “Melman is a go-getter. He is a working boy,” Adair explained. “Give him a task and he’s going to be there. With Bailey, her relaxation and ability to soothe was her greatest superpower. Melman is still able to do those things, just in a different way.”
Storytime with Melman
Catherine is over the moon to be a secondary handler to Melman. After 17 years at Texas Children’s, this is a new and exciting chapter in her role as library coordinator. “Besides giving Melman some down time in the library, I envision doing storytime where the kids can either read to Melman or we can all read a story together,” said Catherine. She even has a buzzer she can use to record different words or noises and will cue Melman to push the buzzer as part of the story.
During his time in the library, he will still be working with patients and families, just in a different environment. Here, he will have a bit of time to enjoy a slower pace while taking in a story or two. Lucky dog!
Big, blonde and beautiful
Melman is a big boy, but is the gentlest of giants. Catherine even fondly calls him a couch potato. “At first, I was like ‘Whoa, you’re a big dog…how in the world am I going to work with you in an ICU setting?’” Adair wondered. However, his size allows them to push patients in the best way to help them achieve their goals, and that’s what this is all about.
They have already begun their work serving the Medical Center PICU, TICU and Heart Center, and will continue fist bumping and tail wagging in the name of top-notch patient care. Stop by the library to see Melman at storytime – we hear he is quite the showman!
