Meet the team!
Golden Retrievers Asteroid and Orbit and Labradoodle Shaggy make up the Huntsville Hospital Foundation funded Canines for Coping program. All three dogs are full-time hospital employees – complete with an employee badge and business card! They work in the hospital with their handlers 40 hours per week, with time allowed for downtime, naps and walks. Because they are professionally trained service dogs, Asteroid, Orbit and Shaggy are able to provide services based on medical goals, can be present during procedures and can assist with bereavement.
Follow their adventures on Instagram at @HH_CaninesforCoping!
Asteroid and Orbit's handlers are Certified Child Life Specialists whose roles are to support children with procedures, help them understand their diagnosis and treatment plan, and process through traumatic experiences. Shaggy's handler is a Licensed Master of Social Work who is highly trained to provide comfort and grief support to chronic or seriously ill patients and their families.
All three dogs have proven evidence-based results:
Canines for Coping is 100% donor funded!
Canines for Coping is funded by the Foundation's Lifesaver Club hospital employee giving club, a generous grant from PetSmart Charities and donations from other generous community partners.
1,623
patient encounters in a year
564
pounds of dog food eaten each year
5,170
staff members received comforting cuddles
450
treats eaten each month
5
toys enjoyed & destroyed every month
“I love helping patients when they're feeling unsure or afraid. I get to show them how things work here at the hospital so they aren't afraid any more.”
