Dog joins Mount Washington Pediatric Hospital

BALTIMORE - A two-year-old Labrador-Golden Retreiever has begun making the rounds Tuesday through the hallways and corridors at Mt. Washington Pediatric Hospital, charged with helping young patients and caregivers.

"Yuba" is being partnered with Adrienne Blizzard, a certified Therapeutic Specialist.   The duo provide assistance to both patients and staff who care for them. They are the end result of the hospital's year-long application and training process with Canine Companions for Independence, the largest non-profit organization for assistance dogs in the United States.
 

"Yuba," is trained to respond to more than 40 different commands, like helping patients open doors, as well as helping reduce patient anxiety during sometimes painful treatments, such as burn wound dressing changes. He also can provide plenty of soft and cuddly external stimuli and emotional support.