Dunkin’ Joy in Childhood Foundation and Bark team up to celebrate their “Fur Leaf Clovers” for St. Patrick’s Day and in honor of child life month.
The Dunkin’ Joy in Childhood Foundation celebrated St. Patrick’s Day and Child Life Month this March by teaming up with the amazing team at BARK to honor the Dogs for Joy hospital partners and their “fur leaf clovers.” Thanks to BARK’S generosity, these lucky dogs received a St. Patrick’s Day themed BarkBox and a free BarkBox each month for the next year. The pup’s handlers, who are Child Life Specialists, were also in luck! They received their own treats from Dunkin’ and the Dunkin’ Joy in Childhood Foundation. March is Child Life Month celebrating Child Life Specialists who provide needed support for pediatric patients and their families.
Launched in 2018, the Dunkin’ Dogs for Joy program places highly specialized in-residence service dogs as full-time members of children’s hospital care teams. These dogs are an integral part of a patient’s treatment plan, trained to do tasks like teach kids how to take a pill, get an x-ray, keep a child calm during a medical intervention, provide incentives for a child to get out of bed for a walk, and much more.
To date, the Dunkin’ Joy in Childhood Foundation’s Dogs for Joy Program has granted 35 full-time pediatric service dogs to 24 children’s hospitals across the country. The dog and handler team serves as essential role within the hospital, both working 40-hour weeks caring for pediatric patients. The pup’s Child Life Specialist/handler will be able to customize the monthly BarkBox to the dog’s likes and preferences.
