Who could possibly resist smiling with a baby goat onscreen? “We hope we are providing a break from feelings of loneliness, while also giving folks a reason to smile.” “Horses, cows, goats, geese and chickens, as well as lizards, talking parrots, a tortoise and even snakes have joined our visits,” says AFF Executive Director Stacy Coleman.
Thanks to this non-profit, people can interact with an entire menagerie of animals from the safety of their homes. “Most importantly,” says Buhrmaster, “they’re asking when we can come back and which dog they’ll get to meet next time, which drives us to do as much of this as we can as often as possible.”Īssisted living residents, healthcare and essential workers, and others who may benefit from seeing an adorable animal onscreen can also access virtual pet therapy through the Animal Farm Foundation’s (AFF) Pets Together program. Kids, or their parents, tell us this was just the anxiety-reducing distraction they needed, or that this was a highlight of their day, week, or hospital stay.”
#Betty the weathercat full
Kids that are quiet around the adults all day are suddenly full of chatter, directed towards the dog. “Kids are squealing and giggling and professing delight, which is something that can be rare in a hospital setting. “There’s a unique, almost visceral bond between kids and animals, and we’re finding it does translate through the screen,” Buhrmaster explains. The brilliant solution? CHLA patients can now share a virtual visit with one-or more!-of the program’s over 100 therapy pups via video call. “We didn’t want to deprive kids of their beloved dog therapy support and that much-anticipated opportunity to connect with a furry friend.”
“We knew that kids facing hospitalization now were going to be facing extra stress related to COVID-19 fears and restrictions,” she says. Program Manager of the Amerman Family Foundation Dog Therapy Program, knew the benefits of the program could be more important now than ever. They’re hosting virtual therapy sessions.Ī tail wag can do wonders in times of stress, and despite in-person visits being suspended at The Children’s Hospital Los Angeles (CHLA), Katie Buhrmaster, Sr.
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