SPOTLIGHT
GLENNON FRIENDS
/ GLENNON FRIENDS
celebrates the faith, commitments and generosity of our supporters.
SPOTLIGHT
Margaret Jenks
M
argaret Jenks keeps a picture of a large, fluffy dog on her kitchen table. She has always loved dogs. And kids, too. Which is how she became friends with that dog, whose name is Thor. Thor is a facility dog who joined the staff at SSM Health Cardinal Glennon Children's Hospital in 2019. A Labrador Retriever who is nearly four years old, he was bred, raised and trained from puppyhood to become a pediatric hospital facility dog. Providing comfort and motivation to kids, parents and caregivers is his job description. Mrs. Jenks combined her affections for dogs, children and philanthropy when she made a contribution to SSM Health Cardinal Glennon Children's Foundation that brought Thor to the hospital. "I strongly believed that Thor could be so helpful for children as they are dealing with illness," Mrs. Jenks said. "The comforting presence a dog can provide is something special. I was confident that Cardinal Glennon would successfully implement this program." "My grandmother has always loved dogs," said Jenks Coggin, her grandson. "She also is very charitable. That is why she was part of the program that was started for Thor. She believes in Cardinal Glennon and everything they do there. She is very religious and sees
Margaret Jenks and Thor
Glennon's principles and what it does for people in need." Mrs. Jenks was born in Alton, Ill., and grew up in St. Louis. "She ran a family-owned mining business before she retired. Her success as a business woman was very impressive in her time," Coggin said. Her philanthropic efforts have supported her church, religious charities, schools and educational programs, he said. "Her desire to help younger generations is her primary focus of charitable giving." While Coggin grew up in Virginia, he often visited his grandmother in Missouri. "I always remember going to her house and seeing dogs running around. One time a stray dog gave birth to a
litter of puppies on her farm. She took in all five of them." Facility dogs, such as Thor, and their handlers are used for goal-oriented interventions with patients, such as encouraging them to participate in therapies and procedures. They also provide stress-relieving companionship and comfort to parents and caregivers. Thor came to SSM Health Cardinal Glennon from Duo Dogs, a nonprofit organization that provides facility dogs, therapy dogs and service dogs to individuals with disabilities or other special needs. The dogs are selected for temperament, behavior and personality and undergo two years of training that stresses obedience. Thor and his team, food, medicine and grooming are supported by contributions to the SSM Health Cardinal Glennon Children's Foundation. "My grandmother knows of the joy a dog can bring to a kid's life," Coggin said. "It is really incredible what these dogs do. She sees that the kids at Glennon get a lot of emotional support from Thor. It brings a great deal of satisfaction and joy to her to know what he is doing. "She loves the hospital and its mission."
glennon.org Spring/Summer 2021 • 65
