A “Bright Spot” for Hannah How your support provided Hannah positive distraction during her stay at Children’s of Alabama 17-year-old Hannah was born with Spina Bifida and is non-ambulatory. Spina Bifida is a birth defect in which a baby’s spinal cord fails to develop properly. In April, Hannah had to visit Children’s of Alabama to have surgery on her shunt which helps drain extra cerebrospinal fluid from her brain. Sound like a scary time? Imagine how Hannah and her mother Margaret felt. Thanks to you, Hannah received a comforting visit from Kirby the therapy dog during a difficult time.
Hannah gets a calming visit during Hannah’s mother, Margaret, recalls, “Kirby added a bright spot in her day. Hannah’s older sister has 3 pugs so that time thanks to YOU. made it even better. She told her sister all about the visit. Kirby was well-behaved and let Hannah pet him. She really liked receiving a visit.”.
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Your generosity ensures that Hannah and many other kids at Children’s of Alabama get to experience the comfort and joy Hand in Paw Therapy Teams provide. As you know, the stress, pain and worry from hospital stays can be taxing for all parties involved, not just for the patients. Having a therapy animal visit allows everyone to step back and “breathe” for a few minutes. Patients, family, and staff alike are allowed the opportunity to be distracted from pain and worry and enjoy the therapeutic calmness of the animal. You and our volunteers make magic happen. The work Hand in Paw does would NOT be possible without your dedication and support. Hannah and her mom thank you, as well as thousands of other families just like them.
Over 100 sites are waiting for Hand in Paw services. We need your help to reach them all.
THERAPY TEAM REQUIREMENTS • Animal is 18 months or older • Must have owned animal for more than 6 months • If dog, must have completed a basic group obedience class • Animal enjoys meeting new people • Animal is good with other animals
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If you are interested in becoming a Therapy Team, please visit HandInPaw.org/Volunteer and fill out an application
