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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