baylor scott & white health
Health Care Reimagined
best friend and helper
Having been in a wheelchair most of her life, Melanie Knecht always wanted a service dog. Thanks to Baylor Scott & White Health and Canine Companions for Independence, © she finally got one. The collaboration is believed to be the first in the U. S. between an assistance dog organization and a health care system.
Melanie, a music therapist, and her dog, Hillary V, were members of the first class to graduate from the new facility in Texas in 2015. In addition to the physical tasks that she helps Melanie perform every day, Hillary also assists her in her therapy practice by picking up the instruments after a client session.
“ Hillary has become such an asset to me as a therapist. When I have a client with anxiety or depression issues, she is right there ready to help. Hillary’ s very intuitive, and she is another dimension of awesome when she’ s working with me,” Melanie said.
The Canine Companions for Independence at Baylor Scott & White Health – Kinkeade Campus in Irving trains assistance dogs over the course of six to nine months to obey more than 40 commands, which include turning light switches on and off, opening doors, pulling wheelchairs and picking up items. Once the dogs are ready for placement, their future human companions spend two weeks learning how to work with them.
The Kinkeade Campus facility trains three types of assistance dogs:
• Service dogs help adults with physical disabilities perform daily tasks.
• Skilled companions enhance independence for children and adults with physical, cognitive and developmental disabilities.
• Facility dogs partner with a facilitator working in a health care, visitation or education setting.
It costs an average of $ 50,000 to breed, raise and train one assistance dog that can be provided to a new owner at no cost. Those willing to support this program should contact the Baylor Health Care System Foundation. More support will enable more individuals like Melanie to have the assistance they need and enjoy richer lives, too.
“ I’ ve made so many friends because of Hillary,” Melanie said.“ You’ re automatically happy when you see her. I can never be in a bad mood with her around.”
“ I’ m so lucky and honored to be part of such an amazing program. Hillary’ s changed my life.”— Melanie Knecht
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