UMC Children’s Hospital is excited to announce, we now have a four-legged employee! Meet Sable, our very first facility dog!
A facility dog works as an employee alongside its professional handler. These dogs have specialized training and are an intentional part of the patient’s care. Research shows by having a facility dog in a hospital setting, patients feel more relaxed, motivated and comfortable. These reasons were more than enough to show us UMC Children’s Hospital needed a facility dog! We are the first Children’s Hospital in West Texas to invest in a facility dog.
Sable started at UMC on September 27, and is working to comfort our patients alongside Child Life Specialist, Hannah Boyd.
“As a child life specialist there is only so much comfort and support, I can provide.” said Hannah Boyd. “Whereas a dog can provide that next level of comfort and care that makes UMC stand out from other hospitals in West Texas.”
UMC wants to thank the UMC 30 Minute Club and the UMC Foundation for donating money to help pay for Sable’s training. We also want to thank PetSmart at Canyon West as well as Live Oak Animal Center for providing services for Sable. We wouldn’t be able to have done this without their support, and we appreciate it!