TOUCH dogs unite for “Group Therapy”
Canine social gives kids opportunity to learn about different breeds of dogs and their special healing touch
What: A dog party! Pet therapy dogs unite for patient get-together
Children can play with all twelve of the TOUCH dogs at this special “meet and greet.” The breeds include: Two Bernese Mountain Dogs, Dalmatian, Border Collie, Pembroke Welsh Corgi, Shetland Sheepdog, Portuguese Water Dog, Shih Tzu, Standard Poodle, and three Golden Retrievers.
Where: St. Louis Children’s Hospital
2nd floor lobby
When: Wednesday, October 3rd, 1:00 p.m.
Background: 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. TOUCH stands for “Therapy of Unique Canine Helpers.” Each handler will pass out custom trading cards with their dog’s picture and profile for the children to collect. The TOUCH dogs visit the emergency room waiting area, eye center, daycare centers, patient playroom, sibling playroom, radiology department, cancer center, and lobby areas. The special volunteers provide a familiar distraction in an otherwise unfamiliar environment. And some would argue this type of alternative therapy speeds a child’s recovery emotionally, mentally and physically.
St. Louis Children's Hospital has partnered with the TOUCH Dogs program since 1995.