What is the Paw Prints Program?
Maura: It’s a dog visitation program in which inpatients have a dog come see them in their hospital room. I work closely with Aimee Lyons, clinical coordinator for P5 and the Transport Team, and Susan Klavon of Risk Management, on the program. You can learn about us at www.childrenshospital.org/pawprints/. We currently have three wonderful dogs—Amos, Pal and Brandy—who visit patients, and four new ones starting orientation. All of our dogs go through an extensive evaluation process (both behavioral and physical health screenings) before they can visit patients. How is a visit arranged and what does it consist of? Maura: The Child Life Specialists coordinate all dog visits. They obtain parental consent and a doctor’s order for each patient to assure that the dog won’t affect any known health problems. They also accompany the dogs and their handlers to each patient room. The patient decides how he wants to interact with the dog. Very young patients may just look at and take a picture wit
