Canine Assistants
I want to take a moment to bring attention to an amazing organization that is in "our own backyard" - no really, they are less than 10 minutes from our home!
Carter and I went to a community toddler time at The Avalon this week where the "Canine Assistants" organization was being featured and had several sweet pups out for all the kids to pet and cuddle. As we passed by one dog in particular, I felt like I recognized him from our many trips to CHOA. It feels weird to say you recognize a golden retriever, but this dog felt and looked SO familiar.
After initiating a conversation with his handler, I found out that sweet Jamie is one of the dogs that rounds the day surgery floor at Scottish Rite! He had been there the day that Carter had his second surgery at 9 months old. We didn't have childcare for Charlotte that day, so Shaun had to stay home and this Mama felt particularly nervous without my better half there to lean on for support. Jamie was a welcomed distraction that brightened mine and Carter's morning. Somehow his presence was calming even for my nerves. We've actually seen Jamie around the hospital several times for our many other visits for various reasons. These pups have super important jobs to do. They show up before little ones go into surgery to comfort and calm them and they round with sick children to brighten their day!
We forgot to take a picture with Jamie (I'm kicking myself) but we did get a picture with Zoey - another sweet dog that rounds at day surgery.
Carter and I went to a community toddler time at The Avalon this week where the "Canine Assistants" organization was being featured and had several sweet pups out for all the kids to pet and cuddle. As we passed by one dog in particular, I felt like I recognized him from our many trips to CHOA. It feels weird to say you recognize a golden retriever, but this dog felt and looked SO familiar.
After initiating a conversation with his handler, I found out that sweet Jamie is one of the dogs that rounds the day surgery floor at Scottish Rite! He had been there the day that Carter had his second surgery at 9 months old. We didn't have childcare for Charlotte that day, so Shaun had to stay home and this Mama felt particularly nervous without my better half there to lean on for support. Jamie was a welcomed distraction that brightened mine and Carter's morning. Somehow his presence was calming even for my nerves. We've actually seen Jamie around the hospital several times for our many other visits for various reasons. These pups have super important jobs to do. They show up before little ones go into surgery to comfort and calm them and they round with sick children to brighten their day!
We forgot to take a picture with Jamie (I'm kicking myself) but we did get a picture with Zoey - another sweet dog that rounds at day surgery.
(Getting a dog and a toddler to look and smile at the same time is IMPOSSIBLE!)
Zoey's and Jamie's handlers were both so loving and encouraging. I told them that Carter will be headed for his third surgery possibly by the end of this year and that I hoped the dogs would be there again. I was pleasantly surprised to learn that I can go on their website and request a pup to come visit Carter prior to surgery! They can't guarantee that they can accommodate us, but I was told that they take every request seriously and would do everything they could to make it happen. Canine Assistants stole an even bigger part of our hearts this week and we look forward to some pre-surgery snuggles in Carter's not so distant future.
If you're interested in possibly naming them as your charity of choice for Kroger Plus or Amazon Smile, you can learn more about this amazing organization here!
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