New Facility Dog Brings Heartfelt Holiday Cheer to Patients in Texas Children’s Heart Center
December 26, 2024 – HOUSTON – Texas Children’s Hospital is excited to welcome its newest facility dog, Noelle, just in time to bring comfort and cheer to patients during the holiday season.
Noelle, a 2-year-old black Labrador/Golden Retriever cross, has joined the Pawsitive Play program and begun working with her handler, Shannon Stowers, in the Texas Children’s Heart Center. Stowers is a certified child life specialist who works with Noelle to provide goal-oriented, therapeutic interventions and comfort for children and their families. By normalizing the hospital environment through play and emotional support, they reduce fear and anxiety during medical procedures and help patients cope with hospitalization.
“I’m so excited to work with Noelle as I know her presence will bring joy and comfort to so many patients,” said Stowers. “Our facility dogs are truly special because they provide much-needed support to our families while encouraging patients to reach their medical goals.”
Child Life staff and facility dogs who work as part of the Texas Children’s Pawsitive Play Program help to boost children’s moods and elevate their self-confidence, as well as decrease their anxiety, perception of pain, and sense of isolation. The dogs are specially trained to work in a hospital setting alongside Texas Children’s physicians, nurses and therapy teams, providing targeted interventions to patients across the hospital.
Noelle has been prepared for her career by professional trainers at Canine Companions®, a not-for-profit organization that provides service dogs to adults, children, and veterans with disabilities and facility dogs to professionals at no cost. These dogs are specially bred, raised and trained for these roles, and selected based on their natural personality traits, behaviors and skills.
Stowers says Noelle is energetic and loves to play, but she also knows how to be a calming presence when needed. She is always happy to see patients and give them big smiles.
Born on Dec. 3, 2022, Noelle was named for her holiday spirit and will bring lots of love to the Heart Center, where patients receive care for the world’s rarest and most complex heart conditions. The center has been ranked the best children’s heart center in the country by U.S. News & World Report for eight consecutive years.
“The Pawsitive Play program has had such a profound impact on all our patients,” said Mary Tietjens, Assistant Director of Clinical Support Services. “It’s truly incredible to see how these animals help children dealing with difficult situations, and we’re honored and excited to continue growing this important program at Texas Children’s.”
Noelle joins six other Texas Children’s facility dogs, making them a team of seven. The veteran team of facility dogs includes:
- Pinto, an 9-year-old Golden Retriever
- Pluto, a 7-year-old Golden Retriever
- Cohen, a 7-year-old Golden Retriever/Poodle cross
- Crosby, a 3-year-old Labrador/Golden Retriever cross
- Melman, a 2-year-old Labrador/Golden Retriever cross
- Lawton, a 2-year-old black Labrador/Golden Retriever cross
