To celebrate Halloween, the families at San Diego’s Ronald McDonald House are going to be treated to something sweeter than candy – the loving snuggles of Helen Woodward Animal Center’s Pet Encounter Therapy (PET) Pets. In a special effort to provide joy and healing to young patients, along with their siblings and parents, the two organizations are uniting to let therapy pets, in adorable seasonal costumes, do the thing they do best.
The heart-warming visit is being underwritten by Joey’s Wings, a charity that provides funding for childhood cancer research and support services for families navigating a cancer diagnosis.
San Diego’s Ronald McDonald House provides a “home away from home” for families with children being treated for serious, often life-threatening conditions at local hospitals. San Diego’s Ronald McDonald House was specifically designed to provide the necessities of home – including 82 guest suites, a family kitchen and a children’s play area – to help strengthen families and bolster their psychological well-being during difficult times, regardless of their situation or ability to pay. Since it began in 1980, thousands of children and their families have made a temporary home there. Studies have shown that children heal faster when families are near, and parents and healthy siblings can manage challenges better when residing together.
Helen Woodward Animal Center’s Pet Encounter Therapy is, in essence, “cuddle therapy.” The program brings the unconditional love and tactile benefits of animals to patients inside skilled nursing facilities, children’s shelters, hospitals, psychiatric units and many more. The basis of the important therapy stems from studies showing that holding and caressing an animal provides benefits such as relaxation, lower blood pressure, decreasing anxiety, and increasing positivity.
On Monday, October 27th, the costumed therapy pets of Helen Woodward Animal Center’s PET Program will be set up at separate stations at the Ronald McDonald House, with a unique treat at each stop. Patients and their families are invited to visit the Halloween festivities and receive a prize, activation or game presented by each pup.
The sweetest treat of all, of course, will be the kind and healing cuddles from all the furry friends.
