Meet the UC Davis Health Canine Crew: Five facility dogs making a difference every day
(SACRAMENTO)
A wagging tail, a gentle nudge and a comforting presence can make all the difference for a child facing a hospital stay. At UC Davis Children's Hospital, five specially trained facility dogs help bring comfort, calm and connection to pediatric patients and families every day.
The UC Davis Health Canine Crew is made up of Jerome, ZeeBee, Huggie, Paloma and Daniels — full-time facility dogs who work alongside child life specialists in the Child Life and Creative Arts Therapy Department. Together, these highly trained canine partners help reduce anxiety, ease stress and support children through medical procedures, treatments and hospital stays.
Members of the UC Davis Health Canine Crew gather around a pediatric patient with child life specialists and handlers at UC Davis Children's Hospital. The facility dogs provide comfort and support to children during hospital visits and treatments.
Provided and professionally trained by Canine Companions, a national nonprofit organization, the dogs joined UC Davis Children's Hospital at no cost. Each dog lives with its handler and comes to work every day with a shared mission: helping children feel more comfortable during some of their most challenging moments.
The Canine Crew can be found throughout the hospital:
Jerome supports patients in acute care pediatrics on Tower 6 and the adolescent unit on Tower 4.
ZeeBee welcomes and comforts patients in the Children's Surgery Center.
Huggie brings support to children receiving treatment in the Pediatric Infusion Room.
Paloma visits patients in inpatient pediatrics on Davis 7.
Daniels serves children and families in the Pediatric Intensive Care Unit (PICU).
Whether sitting quietly beside a child before surgery, providing a distraction during a procedure or offering a familiar face during a long hospital stay, each dog plays an important role in creating positive healthcare experiences for patients and families.
The UC Davis Health Canine Crew gathers in a hospital hallway while a child life specialist looks on. The specially trained facility dogs work throughout UC Davis Children's Hospital to support pediatric patients and families.
Scroll through the photo gallery to meet the members of the Canine Crew and see how they're making a meaningful impact across UC Davis Children's Hospital.
Want to see more of their daily adventures? Follow the Canine Crew on Instagram at @UCDHealthCanineCrew for behind-the-scenes moments, patient visits and plenty of tail-wagging smiles.
Two pediatric patients spend time with members of the UC Davis Health Canine Crew in a patient care area at UC Davis Children's Hospital. Facility dogs provide companionship and comfort during hospital stays and treatments.The UC Davis Health Canine Crew poses for a group photo at UC Davis Children's Hospital. The five facility dogs serve pediatric patients in locations across the hospital.Members of the UC Davis Health Canine Crew greet one another during a gathering at UC Davis Children's Hospital. The dogs partner with child life specialists to help reduce anxiety and provide comfort to pediatric patients.
