There’s no hesitation about a vaccine like that of a 9-year-old girl staring at the glint of a needle under her skin.
And there’s no method quite like Ollie, a 6-year-old goldendoodle therapy dog who is helping the kids at Rady-San Diego Children’s Hospital overcome the anxiety associated with being bullied. COVID-19 Vaccine.
Ollie and 14 other dogs from PetSmart Paws for Hope have been helping kids ages 5 to 11 since they became eligible for their vaccinations earlier this month.
Ollie, a 6-year-old goldendoodle therapy dog, is helping children at Rady-San Diego Children’s Hospital overcome anxiety related to COVID-19 vaccinations. (REUTERS / Mike Blake)
Across the US, adults are resisting the shots due to mistrust stemming from the speed at which vaccines are deployed, questions about possible side effects or, in many cases, fear. due to fake rumors. The kids were just afraid he would get hurt.
The prediction of a stabbing at Rady’s vaccine clinic brought 9-year-old Avery Smith to tears. Then Ollie came in and sat at her feet. Avery’s mother, Kelli Donahue, took pictures of her with the dog and Avery’s sister Olive, 6.
“It helped me because I had never had a COVID vaccine before and I didn’t know what it was like. But when I saw the dog, it calmed me down,” Avery said.
Before vaccines, dogs had the job of bringing joy to pediatric hospitalized patients, many of whom fought cancer or other illnesses that can mentally debilitate patients, their parents, and hospital staff.
Ollie greets Tanner Rico in San Diego. (REUTERS / Mike Blake)
“Sometimes parents will say, ‘He’s sleeping after the surgery, but can I pet him?’ said Ollie’s owner, Kristin Gist, 75, a volunteer therapy dog and dog owner. former hospital program director said. “They can really cuddle the dog and feel better.”
When COVID restrictions were put in place early last year, about 20,000 annual dog visits stopped. They rebooted about three months ago.
“Nothing. It was quiet. The kids were bored,” said Carlos Delgado, a spokesman for the hospital. “So thank God we were able to start bringing the show back on. Even a three-minute visit with a dog makes all the difference for the day.”
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