Is There a TOUCH Dog in the House?
Who says you need a lab coat to offer good medicine? Sometimes you just need a lab – Labrador retriever, that is. Or a poodle, a Bernese mountain dog, a Dalmatian, or any of the various breeds that make up the TOUCH dog program at St. Louis Children’s Hospital.
TOUCH stands for “therapy of unique canine helpers.” The hospital’s TOUCH team is made up of sixteen dogs that are specially-trained to provide comfort in a hospital setting.
Throughout the year they visit with patients in several of the hospital’s outpatient clinics, as well as on the inpatient floors. But for one day each year, the entire team gathers in one place, allowing the children to party with the whole pack – and even collect trading cards for each of the animals.
Pet therapy is one component of St. Louis Children’s Hospital’s Healing Arts program, which also includes art therapy, music therapy, humor therapy (the Clown Docs) and horticulture therapy. The TOUCH dogs and their volunteers provide a familiar distraction in an otherwise unfamiliar environment. Some would argue this type of alternative therapy speeds a child’s recovery emotionally, mentally and physically. St. Louis Children's Hospital has partnered Support Dogs, Inc. to offer the TOUCH Dogs program since 1995.