Have you ever seen the look on a child's face when they are around a dog? They usually get a pretty darn big ear to ear smile on their faces. Well picture that ear to ear smile ten times bigger when that dog visits them in a hospital bed!
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| Tessa and Sadie relaxing |
Sharon and her beautiful Golden Retriever Sadie spend many of their mornings and afternoons walking the halls of St. Louis Children's Hospital visiting children. She is part of a unique program offered by Support Dogs Inc. called the TOUCH Program (Therapy of Unique Canine Helpers). Sadie is a certified TOUCH therapy dog. And she is a GREAT one!
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| Photo taken at a PYC photo shoot honoring Support Dogs, Inc. |
It is not easy to get into the program. The canine's must go through several steps and training in order to participate. Training is done in the classroom as well as out in the community. After six months of training, and if they qualify, they can then go to Children's.
Sadie seems to be a favorite to! She loves to have the children touch her and she touches them right back with her paw!
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| Sadie and Sharon visiting a child at St. Louis Children's Hospital |
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| Sadie giving some love |
Sharon is extremely dedicated to this program, so much so that she has even enrolled her other Golden Brody in the program as well. He is progressing wonderfully and will be with her at Children's before long. Sharon and Brody have spent many an afternoon walking the aisles of local stores getting him used to more and more outside distractions.
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| Brody |
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| Brody and Tessa posing for the camera |
Sadie is a bit of a pro and very well liked at the hospital. Sharon often speaks of how doctors and staff will turn on their heels and not get into the elevator in order to pet Sadie. So really she is brightening the day of so many more than even the children from the moment she walks in the door.
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| Sharon and Sadie being interviewed at St. Louis Children's Hospital Click on the above link to watch the interview |
Watch more videos and read more stories! Just click on this link St. Louis Children's Hospital
The TOUCH Program is such a blessing to so many. All of my children have had friends who have been touched by Sadie and Sharon while they were visiting them at Children's Hospital. Their friends told them it was the one thing they look forward to every week. The one little girl still has Sadie's card that they give out when they visit.
Sharon often says that her favorite part of being involved in the TOUCH Program is quite simply the joy that it brings the children. She loves to watch their faces light up when they see Sadie come into their rooms. Tears turn to smiles, and that makes it all worth it.
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| Good girl Sadie! |
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