Nov. 26, 2024
MARSHFIELD – The Child Life and Expressive Therapies team welcomed Dolly to Marshfield Children's Hospital this Monday. Dolly is a specially educated facility dog who will assist her Child Life handler helping pediatric patients cope while at a medical appointment, procedure or during a hospital stay. Marshfield Children's Hospital is one of only two children's hospitals in Wisconsin to have a facility dog.
Animal-assisted therapy can help patients feel more comfortable and less anxious. Different than pet therapy, Dolly and Child Life are following a goal-directed program that helps patients cope, heal and achieve treatment goals. As Child Life works with patients, they will assess if a child's care plan would benefit by assistance from Dolly.
“The dog is an extension of the handler, our trained Child Life specialists," said McKenzie Tischauser, facility dog lead handler from Child Life. “We will assess patient needs and treatment goals as we build her patient load. This program is different than pet therapy where we won't be making rounds to patients or staff to 'say hi' or cheer them up with a stop for quick pets."
Animal-assisted therapy is possible through funding by the Christmas in July charity. Their efforts are supporting cost of the dog, staff training, and updates to the facility. Pet Supply Plus in Marshfield is donating services for weekly grooming and bath sessions and additional in-kind donations for special events.
Dolly's handlers are certified Child Life specialists Tischauser, Lindsey Welch and Heidi Giese. They went through an educational program and on-site training in Atlanta, Georgia from Canine Assistants. Dolly completed some of her hospital education at Children's Hospital of Atlanta.
The facility dog is considered a member of the Child Life team and will be treated like an employee. She is going through orientation, is required to take breaks and is only allowed to work 40 hours a week. “When Dolly's leash is on, she is working," Giese said. “We're excited to welcome Dolly to our team."
To support the care of Dolly, donate online at www.marshfieldclinic.org/giving, select CMNH and comment “Facility dog".
