Josh and Friends

Pantano Animal Clinic has partnered with a wonderful new program that promotes the human-animal bond in a manner that fosters animal assisted therapy for hospitalized children.

As a result of personal experience, Randy Lange, DVM found out that it was impossible to find written information that would comfort his distressed child that was confronted with an impending hospital visit.  While his daughter, Jessica, was in the hospital undergoing a surgical procedure he walked around the hospital and found that many of the children in the hospital rooms were alone.  Upon inquiring, he found that most of these children were "drop-offs."  What is a child "drop-off?"  As veterinarians we are quite familiar with the term "drop-off" as it relates to our animal patients.  The same meaning applies to these children.  These are children, usually with a single parent that cannot stay with them, that are dropped off for a surgical procedure and picked up later.  This experience would be frightening to anybody but is especially traumatic for a child to be left alone.  As a result of this experience, Dr. Lange wrote a child-friendly book titled "I'll Be O.K."  The book features his family's Golden Retriever, Josh, as the star and narrator.  He also created a plush version of Josh.  Packaged together, Josh's custom dog house, the book and the comforting plush puppy have become an ideal vehicle for comforting children that are facing surgery or a hospital stay.  The book successfully takes Josh through a surgical procedure and is read to the children before they go to the hospital.  The plush "Josh" can accompany the child to the hospital and provide comfort and reassurance to the apprehensive patient.  What a wonderful way to promote the human-animal bond!

Pantano Animal Clinic has seen the value of this endeavor and has initiated a plan in which veterinarians and their clients can participate in this wonderful program.  If you would like more information on how to participate in the Josh and Friends program, please contact us at pantano@pantanoac.com.

Also visit:  www.joshandfriends.com