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Hospital's Golden Retriever Retires After 8 Years of Comfort
1 Jan
Summary
- A golden retriever named Annie retired after eight years of service.
- Annie comforted children with serious illnesses and their families.
- A black Labrador retriever named Oli will be Annie's successor.
Kanagawa Children's Medical Center in Yokohama recently held a special ceremony to honor Annie, a golden retriever facility dog who provided comfort for eight years. Annie's tenure, along with her predecessor Bailey, supported an estimated 39,000 children facing serious illnesses. Her role will now be filled by Oli, a black Labrador retriever, marking a new chapter in canine-assisted therapy at the hospital.
Facility dogs like Annie undergo specialized training to assist hospitalized children and their families, working alongside professional handlers. Nene Higano, a former patient who spent 15 hours creating artwork for the handover, shared how Annie's presence provided her with a sense of ease during difficult times. The initiative highlights the profound emotional impact these animals have on patients' recovery and well-being.
Despite growing interest, the expansion of facility dog programs in Japan is hampered by substantial costs, estimated at 16 million yen for preparation and 10 million yen annually. However, initiatives like crowdfunding are enabling institutions, such as Hyogo Prefectural Kobe Children's Hospital and Tokyo Metropolitan Children's Medical Center, to introduce or expand their facility dog services.
