HERSHEY, Pa. — Note: The video is from October 2016.
Penn State Health Children's Hospital on Tuesday announced the passing of Kaia, the hospital's first-ever facility dog.
The golden retriever died over the weekend, a spokesperson with the hospital said in a press release. She was 10 years old.
Kaia served as the hospital's facility dog since October 2016, a time when only 30 children's hospitals across the nation had facility dog programs. She quickly became a well-known presence throughout Penn State Health Children’s Hospital, helping mostly with radiology and radiation oncology patients alongside her primary handler, Ashley Kane, manager of the hospital’s Child Life Program, and Paige Deljanovan, certified child life specialist in pediatric radiology.
"Kaia was a pioneer, with several facility dogs following in her paw-steps," the hospital said. "They include Pilot, Captain, Thor, Baron and Skye, who all remain on the job today in different specialized areas, with an aim of enhancing patient care."
The facility dogs spend 40 hours a week at work with their primary handlers, with time allowed for downtime, naps and walks. They even have their own Instagram page dedicated to educating the public on the purpose of the facility dog program and the work they do with the Child Life team at the Children’s Hospital.
Facility dogs undergo extensive training to work in a health care environment and provide emotional support, as well as learn specific tasks to help patients cope with major and minor hospital procedures.