Facility Dogs Bring Joy and Calm to Pediatric Oncology Patients and Families

Early in the morning, after she wakes from anesthesia, a 9-year-old patient in Holtz Children’s Hospital’s oncology unit begins looking for her favorite visitor, Mahi. The golden retriever and hospital facility dog’s visits are precious to her and make the hospital a little less scary.

Mahi and her expert handler serve Jackson Health System’s 17-bed pediatric oncology unit daily, providing comfort and support to patients and their families during blood draws, MRIs, and CTs; diagnosis disclosures; bereavement and end-of-life care; end-of-treatment celebrations; rehabilitation; and birthdays.

“The wonderful thing about dogs is that words aren’t necessary. There’s an instant, unspoken connection,” said Talia Mor, certified child life specialist and facility dog handler at Jackson Health System. “One of my favorite parts has been watching the way patients, families, and staff light up when they see Mahi. Their faces completely transform.”

From puppyhood, facility dogs who work full-time in children’s hospitals receive extensive, specialized training to provide goal-orientated, therapeutic interventions and emotional support. Mahi’s role in this patient’s recovery is so profound the hospital named her “Mahi’s assistant”, allowing her to check in and take her for a walk each day.

“Sometimes, when I open the door to a room, it feels like I’m about to witness something magical,” Mor said. “She has a gift, and it’s something that goes beyond what humans can offer.”

Mahi and Holtz Children’s Hospital is one of nine facility dog programs that received a 2024 ACS PAWS (Pups Assisting With Support) grant. Additional grantees include:

• Children’s Hospital Colorado
• Children’s Hospital of Georgia
• Children’s Mercy Hospital
• Cincinnati Children’s Hospital and Medical Center
• Dana-Farber Cancer Institute
• Kapi’olani Medical Center for Women & Children
• Nemours Children’s Hospital, Delaware
• UCLA Mattel Children’s Hospital

By supplementing the cost of veterinary care, adoption, handler or staff member training, food, grooming, beds, toys, and improving or maintaining dog facilities the grant program aims to improve the quality of life for pediatric oncology patients and their caregivers by improving overall well-being during treatment.

“Animal-assisted therapy for children who are in the hospital is widely considered a safe way to decrease anxiety, stress, depression, and pain while increasing joy and calmness,” said Dr. Arif Kamal, chief patient officer of the American Cancer Society. “PAWS funding fills critical gaps for these programs and helps improve cancer outcomes by making our youngest patients more comfortable while undergoing treatment.”

Collectively, the American Cancer Society’s 2024 PAWS projects have touched more than 10,000 children and families impacted by cancer. Learn more about supporting children through cancer treatment.