Pet Therapy

The Pet Therapy Program at Ministry Saint Joseph's Children's Hospital is designed to provide emotional support and comfort to patients by providing therapeutic interactions with specially trained dogs and cats. This therapy is done in an effort to normalize the environment and help reduce the stress of hospitalization. In addition, Pet Therapy may enhance positive physical, cognitive, emotional and social interactions. Each volunteer handler must complete volunteer training through Ministry Saint Joseph's Hospital Volunteer Services. All therapy dogs are Delta Certified and must pass a series of skills and aptitude tests to become certified. All animals are cleaned and well groomed before each visit and must be free from overt diseases and have an up-to-date vaccination history.

Pet Therapy

http://ministryhealth.org/SJCH/ChildLife.nws

Pet Therapy

http://ministryhealth.org/SJCH/ChildLife.nws

The Importance of Play: Therapeutic Play

A normal activity of childhood, play helps children develop a sense of mastery in a challenging setting and can enable him or her to exert some control in a difficult environment. Child Life specialists are skilled in leading play that helps children cope and heal. Play can provide a relief from the unpleasant aspects of the health care experience.

Preparing for Surgery

History

The field of child life began to flourish in the United States and Canada in the early 1960s through the pioneering work of Emma Plank (and others) who trained with Maria Montessori and used the principles of child development to promote appropriate care for this special population in the hospital. Prior to this time, it was not uncommon for parents to be excluded from the pediatric wards of hospitals except for brief visitation hours, sometimes just on weekends. Today, we acknowledge the special emotional and educational needs of children by providing an environment and programs which facilitate the primary role of family, and support which encourages adjustment to the hospital and to health care through the growing years.

http://www.mayo.edu/mshs/careers/child-life-specialist

Characteristics of a Typical Child Life Specialist

• Enjoys working with children and parents
• Has excellent written and verbal communication skills
• Can adjust language and demeanor to the developmental and emotional state of the child
• Works well with a variety of health care professionals and other support people
• Can manage the emotional stress inherent in working with children who have life-threatening diseases
• Can manage a variety of tasks simultaneously
• Is able to explain complex medical procedures and information to all ages (http://www.mayo.edu/mshs/careers/child-life-specialist).

What does a child life specialist do?

The profession of child life was created to help children and their families navigate the emotionally and physically demanding process of coping with hospitalization. Child life specialists use their knowledge of child development and developmentally appropriate interventions to educate, prepare and support children through difficult tests, procedures and the sometimes drastic changes that happen within their families due to chronic or acute illness, treatment and recovery. As part of the health care team, child life professionals advocate for the special needs of children and their families. Child life programs provide children with opportunities to engage in normal play and recreational activities that promote growth, development and feelings of success and fulfillment. Child life professionals promote the role of parents and other family members as full partners on the health care team and promote the philosophy of patient- and family-centered care (http://www.mayo.edu/mshs/careers/child-life-specialist).