Photo: Chaiel Schaffel
BOSTON (WBZ NewsRadio) — Massachusetts General Hospital has added a new feature to its children’s wing: a golden retriever named Kayce.
The 16-month-old pooch is there to put kids at ease.
“When Kayce enters the room, the whole dynamic of the room really changes,” said Eva Mintz, who works in the children’s wing. “Kids can go from being fearful, anxious … [then] he walks in a room and you can't help but smile and feel comforted by his presence.”
Mintz is also Kayce’s owner, bringing him into work and taking him home every day.
“I have three little kids at home and a golden doodle, who is now [Kayce’s] sister. They’re all very happy,” Mintz said.
Photo: Chaiel Schaffel
Kayce, who Mintz calls a “gentle giant,” not only makes kids happy, but makes them less scared to be at the hospital.
“If we can reduce fear in the hospitalization, then their next encounter with the health system, particularly for young children, will not be dominated by fear,” said Allan Goldstein, chief pediatric surgeon at MGH.
The hospital was able to get Kayce through a grant from Dunkin’ Dogs For Joy, a program to put dogs in hospitals around the country.
“There is good evidence that all of these things have a very good impact on the experience that a patient has,” Goldstein said.
WBZ’s Chaiel Schaffel (@CSchaffelWBZ) reports.
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