Georgia

Meet Kaia: Penn State Children Hospital's Newest Employee

Penn State Children's Hospital in Hershey became the first children's hospital in the state to hire a full-time facility dog.

Her name is Kaia, a golden retriever and the hospital's Child Life Program's newest asset. With a 40-hours-per-week schedule, she plans to help calm patients, create a more positive environment, and provide animal assisted interventions.

During evenings and weekends, Kaia will go home with her primary handler, Ashley Kane, and spend time going for walks, playing games, and resting.

Kaia was born and raised at Canine Assistants, a Georgia-based organization that trains service and facility dogs.

Kane, who is also the Child Life Program manager, says she hopes the hospital will expand its use of facility dogs in the future.

The Lebanon Daily News reports that only 30 children's hospitals across the nation utilize facility dogs.

Facility dogs are different from therapy dogs. They are trained for the first 14-24 months of their lives before being placed in a healthcare setting. They provide specific interventions for patients, while therapy dogs visit patients to provide a calming influence during their time at the hospital.

Copyright AP - Associated Press
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