The specially trained Canine Companions facility dog is joining the Child Life team to help children feel calmer, more confident, and supported during some of their toughest moments.
At a Glance
- Maria Fareri Children’s Hospital in Valhalla has welcomed Simone, a specially trained facility dog.
- Simone works alongside the hospital’s Child Life team to support children and families during hospital stays.
- Unlike traditional therapy animals, Simone is part of the care team and works toward specific patient goals.
- A comforting presence can make a stressful hospital experience feel a little easier for kids and parents.
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When my daughter was 9, she spent four days in the hospital undergoing invasive tests, and her anxiety was through the roof (honestly, so was mine). To make matters worse, it was Christmastime. The one bright spot came when a group of volunteers brought hand-wrapped toys to the pediatric unit, and she was given a beautiful doll. It gave her something to focus on besides what was happening to her.
A hospital stay is a lot for anyone to handle, but for a child, it’s especially frightening, with unfamiliar rooms and people, needles, long waits, and treatments that hurt. At Maria Fareri Children’s Hospital, kids now have a new source of comfort to help them through it, and one that, as an animal lover, my daughter would have flipped over.
Simone is a facility dog from Canine Companions, and she’s officially joined the hospital’s Child Life team in Valhalla, NY. Her role is simple: help make hospital days feel a little less scary and a little more manageable for children and families.
Simone Isn’t Just Visiting: She’s Part of the Team
If you think of a typical hospital dog, you might imagine a therapy animal that stops by for a few minutes of tail wags and belly rubs before heading home for the day. Simone is different. She works full-time, right alongside doctors, nurses, and child life specialists, and she’s helping kids meet therapeutic goals.
Day to day, Simone works at:
- Keeping kids distracted during procedures
- Helping ease the nerves before and after treatment
- Motivating kids through physical therapy
- Being a steady, comforting presence during long hospital stays
- Offering support to parents and staff, too
From the moment patients walk through our doors, our focus is on delivering compassionate, comprehensive care,” explains Erika Berman Rosenzweig, MD, William Russell McCurdy Physician-in-Chief & Chair, Department of Pediatrics at Maria Fareri Children’s Hospital. “Simone is an extension of that commitment, providing comfort, building trust, and helping children feel more at ease during difficult moments.”
Why Dogs Just Make Kids Feel Better
There is a reason many children instantly relax when they see a friendly dog. Studies have shown that positive interactions between people and dogs can lower stress levels and create a genuine sense of comfort and connection. Even just spending time with a dog can shift kids’ hormones, boosting oxytocin and lowering cortisol, the hormone tied to stress.
When your child is facing a scary procedure, a tough treatment, or days on end in a hospital bed, that sense of calm helps a lot. As parents, we know that so often the mental state of our kids is vital in recovery. Simone isn’t just there to make kids smile, though she’s obviously great at that, too. She’s part of the care team, using that natural bond between kids and dogs to help patients cope, build confidence, and feel like they have a little more control over what’s happening to them.
Serious Training Behind That Wagging Tail
Simone’s calm, reassuring demeanor didn’t happen overnight. She came through Canine Companions, a nonprofit that trains and places service and facility dogs at no cost to the people and organizations they work with. Facility dogs like Simone learn more than 40 specialized commands built for hospital environments, and they’re chosen specifically for their ability to stay cool, focused, and gentle in a busy, high-stress setting.
She’s paired up with Marci Lewis, a Certified Child Life Specialist and Facility Dog Handler at Maria Fareri Children’s Hospital, who now serves as her handler.
“Simone’s presence helps transform the patient experience in meaningful ways,” Lewis said. “She’s not just providing comfort; she’s helping patients achieve clinical milestones, build confidence, and feel a sense of control during their hospital stay.”
For families spending some of their toughest days at Maria Fareri Children’s Hospital, having a calm, adorable, and comforting presence like Simone can make a difficult experience feel a little easier for kids – and parents, too.
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