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One Dog. One Person. Lots of Kids.
Walking together in stride, Child Life Specialist Jennifer and Canine Companions Facility Dog Nilani, confidently move through the busy halls congested with rolling gurneys, diligent doctors, compassionate nurses, beeping pagers, worried parents and sick children. They're headed to meet the next patient.
A 13-year-old girl, whose life is ending, has a request.
Nilani knows what her job is and gently places her lovable Labrador head on the little girl's lap.
Soon the patient sits up and, speaking for the first time that day, says, "She's pretty."
In that moment, her mother, her father, her sister--the loved ones she's leaving behind--fill with gratitude and appreciation knowing that these moments are filled with love--theirs and Nilani's.
Without knocking over an IV stand, stepping on an extension cord, or wagging her tail, Nilani follows Jennifer's commands and they leave the room together.
Standing outside the doorway, Jennifer breathes deeply. Nilani looks up at her with her knowing eyes. Jennifer slowly strokes Nilani's ears," Good girl Nilani. Let's go."
The team resumes their stride through the hallway. It's 2 p.m., time to visit the playroom.
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