Overview
How CHAMPs dogs help ease medical anxiety
Furry friends not only put smiles on kids’ faces; they can help calm children when something like a medical procedure might seem a bit scary. That's why American Family Children’s Hospital is home to Canine Health and Medical Pals, or CHAMPs, a popular facility dog program that helps young patients feel more comfortable in a hospital setting.
When facility dogs are used
Facility dogs are not pets. They are raised from birth to provide comfort and support to hospitalized children during stressful situations.
CHAMPs currently has five facility dogs, each of which is assigned to a certain area of American Family Children's Hospital. The dogs are never unaccompanied. Each dog is always under the supervision of an expertly trained staff person, known as a facility dog handler.
CHAMPs dogs do not have a schedule. Rather, each CHAMPs handler decides which patients are most likely to benefit from the company of a facility dog.
Most children experience an immediate connection with a facility dog. Typically, within seconds, they become happier and less anxious, allowing the medical procedure to go more smoothly. Some patients even look forward to coming back to the hospital if they expect to see a CHAMPs dogs again.
While all five of our facility dogs — Kiko, Cash, Cola, Archie and Jimmy — are quite popular with our patients and families, we regret that patients or family members cannot specifically request the company of a CHAMPs facility dog.
Meet our dogs
Good dogs ready to help good kids
Additional information
Using donor support to uplift children
CHAMPs facility dogs are bred, born and raised in Georgia by a nonprofit organization called Canine Assistants. Dogs are typically placed at children’s hospitals when they are 18 months old.
The CHAMPs program is run by our Child Life staff — both of which are 100% supported by donations. If you would like to support the CHAMPs program with a gift, we would be most grateful. Donations can be made online.
Separate from the CHAMPs facility dog program, American Family Children’s Hospital has a visiting dog program called Caring Canines. These dogs make social visits to patients on a regular basis and are accompanied by children’s hospital volunteers.