The Golisano Children's Hospital Facility Dog Program
The Golisano Children's Hospital Facility Dog Program
Hospitalization and medical procedures can be overwhelming for children and their families, often bringing feelings of fear and uncertainty. Even when receiving exceptional clinical care, children need more than medicine to heal. At Golisano Children’s Hospital (GCH), we care for children during some of the most difficult and vulnerable times in their lives. A Facility Dog Program at GCH will offer a powerful, evidence-based way to bring comfort, courage, and joy during moments when children are feeling afraid or uncomfortable. Specially trained dogs working full time with Certified Child Life Specialists can provide therapeutic support. Whether that means lying beside a child during a procedure, encouraging a hesitant patient to take their first steps after surgery, providing distraction and calm during episodes of physical or emotional distress, or bringing playful moments of relief to children facing long or repeated hospitalizations, facility dogs are more than companions—they are essential partners in care.
As peer hospitals—including Upstate Golisano Children’s Hospital and Oishei Children’s Hospital—develop similar programs, GCH has the opportunity to lead the way and raise the standard of care for families in our region.
Our Vision
The proposed Facility Dog Program will pair an expertly trained dog with a Certified Child Life Specialist to deliver customized treatments that are carefully designed to align with patients’ goals and care plans, while also helping children cope with lengthy hospitalizations or life-changing illnesses.
The program will be implemented in partnership with a nationally reputable breeding and training organization known for its high standards and success in hospital settings. This ensures our facility dog will receive industry-leading training, and both the dog and handler will benefit from expert support throughout the dog’s working life.
Unlike visiting therapy dogs, facility dogs are full-time, working members of the care team who support clinical and psychosocial goals. At GCH, our facility dog will help to:
- Reduce the need for sedating medications during procedures
- Motivate patients to participate in physical or occupational therapy
- Ease fear and anxiety before surgery
- Promote developmental progress during hospitalization
- Help children cope through play and companionship during long stays
- Offer comfort during end-of-life care
An Evidence-Based Partner in Healing
Each year, thousands of children walk through the doors of GCH with complex medical needs. A 2022 study in the Journal of Pediatric Health Care found that facility dogs helped reduce children’s anxiety during procedures, encouraged movement and play, and promoted emotional expression. The study also emphasized how facility dogs improve the hospital experience for patients, families, and staff by offering a sense of normalcy, friendship, and peace (Rodriguez et al., 2022).
Our current volunteer-based Pets Engaged in Therapeutic Socialization (PETS) program brings comfort to some patients, but its reach is limited: visits are occasional and cannot consistently support children throughout their hospital stay.
The proposed Facility Dog Program will allow many more children to benefit from frequent, goal-directed therapy with a full-time dog and trained handler, ensuring that support is available when and where it is needed most.
Program Design and Sustainability
The Facility Dog Program is designed for long-term integration into hospital operations and will only be possible through philanthropic support. We anticipate using the program as an opportunity to partner with local businesses—including veterinary clinics and dog groomers—to further sustain the program and support its expansion over time.
Start-up and First-Year Costs: $200,000
Endowment for Sustainability: $3M
Key program expenses:
- $100,000 will provide primary and secondary handler salaries (Child Life Specialists)
- $50,000 will create an outdoor dog park for both GCH's facility dog and visiting pets
- $25,000 will provide a specially bred and fully trained facility dog
- $10,000/year will provide program essentials like food, grooming, veterinary care, and more
- $5,000 will cover handler training expenses with training company
A Transformative Gift
We believe that exceptional care extends beyond clinical excellence: it reaches the heart of every child and family we serve. With your support, the Facility Dog Program will add another layer of healing that fosters joy, builds trust, and helps children meet their medical challenges with courage and hope. This is more than a program: it's a commitment to comforting every child, in every moment, with every tool we have.