Johns Hopkins All Children’s Hospital, a pediatric center in Florida’s Tampa Bay region, has recently welcomed the newest addition to their team and their first-ever facility dog, Brea. Expertly trained at two years old, the yellow Labrador is meant to be a friendly distraction to the young patients, providing them with comfort and support.
Before Brea became part of the hospital, she was training with the non-profit organization called Canine Companions for Independence (CCI). They placed her with a resident of Gadsden Correctional Facility, the state prison for women, where she was raised and taught basic obedience.
Following her lessons there, Brea went to a private home for ten months to develop her socialization skills before heading back to CCI for the end of her professional training. When she finally graduated, the staff at the non-profit matched her with Leah Frohnerath, a child life specialist at Johns Hopkins. That was when the yellow Lab officially joined the hospital staff.
Unlike therapy dogs who only visit the facility, Brea works a regular 40-hour week. Her consistent presence in the hospital makes it easy for her to gain the young patients’ trust and offer them the emotional support they need. Brea also has access to more places in the hospital, allowing her to comfort more kids, especially those undergoing different stressful procedures.
Although it has only been over a month since the yellow Labrador began working with Leah, she admits that she is amazed at how easy it is for Brea to connect with the patients. She has already made painful procedures tolerable and enjoyable for the kids and even helps boost the staff’s energy to continue their valuable work.
When Brea is off-duty, she stays with Leah and her family to decompress and enjoy a much-deserved rest day. Look at the adorable facility dog on duty here.
Courtesy of Johns Hopkins All Children’s Hospital