Episode description

Animals are healers. They've been proven to reduce pain, anxiety, and blood pressure, and release endorphins, and even bring joy to what can be a scary place: a hospital. So it's not a surprise for hospitals, health care systems, and long-term care facilities to have pet therapy teams who bring tested, certified, and well-tempered animals - mostly dogs - to comfort patients and families. Nemours has volunteer pet therapy teams at both NCH locations. 

Recently, Nemours took the next step in pet therapy, and obtained a specially trained pet assistance, or in-residence, dog. Allie is a full-time Nemours associate who comes to work every day and is part of a child's treatment team. She can comfort children going through procedures, teach kids how to take pills, be there for their families, and even model a hospital gown. 

Allie's handler, Child Life Specialist and Pet Therapy Coordinator Kelsey Cebula, joins us on the podcast to talk about her work with Allie at NCH Delaware and her vision for growing this program across the enterprise. 

Carol Vassar, producer