The Huntsville Hospital Health System is expanding their successful Canines for Coping facility dog program after seeing significantly improved patient outcomes and overwhelmingly positive feedback since launching the program in 2019. Thanks to generous community donations, the Huntsville Hospital Foundation is funding a third dog they believe will expand the program’s reach and impact.
The third dog has been secured through Service Dogs Alabama and is expected to start seeing patients in April. The new pup and its handler, Angel Utt, LMSW (licensed master of social work), will primarily serve palliative care patients at Huntsville Hospital and for Caring for Life’s inpatient hospice facility. Together they will provide comfort and psychosocial support to chronic and seriously ill patients and their families throughout treatment, as well as during end-of-life care.
Utt has almost 20 years of clinical experience, most recently as a coordinator for The Caring House, providing grief support, education, and resources to children, families, and caregivers.
“Working alongside Hospice Family Care, I have felt honored to be allowed to sit with families during very difficult and vulnerable times, helping them navigate and try to make sense of what’s happening in their world,” Utt said. “Now, thanks to the Canines for Coping program and HHF, I get to combine my passion for helping people and my love of dogs.
“We will provide much-needed mental and emotional support during a patient’s hospital stay and will assist in certain identified medical goals using animal-assisted therapy. I cannot think of a more meaningful way for this program to grow and serve our community.”
The donor-funded Canines for Coping program currently consists of two professionally trained facility dogs named Asteroid and Orbit at Huntsville Hospital for Women & Children. Because of their extensive training at a service dog institution, the golden retrievers are able to deliver services based on medical goals, be present during procedures and assist with bereavement.
“The Canines for Coping program has been an incredible asset to our hospital and pediatric patients,” said Sarah Savage-Jones, president of Huntsville Hospital Foundation. “Not only do they add normalcy and warmth to the hospital setting, but they also improve outcomes like increased healing and decreased anxiety.
“To provide just a little bit of joy and quality of life during times of sadness and uncertainty is such a gift, and we are honored to work with donors to make this possible for our patients and caregivers.”
The third dog will be revealed via the Canines for Coping Instagram page. Any related expenses will be covered in part by the Lifesaver Club, Huntsville Hospital’s employee giving program.
The program will also hold a fundraiser on May 7 at the 2022 Huntsville Classic featuring Jake Owen at Huntsville’s new Orion Amphitheater. This event will raise essential funding to help sustain the program at Huntsville Hospital for Women & Children and to continue growing to serve other patient populations.
Click here to buy tickets to the Huntsville Classic concert.
Follow the new facility dog’s status at @HH_CaninesforCoping.
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