Jackson Health System Welcomes First-Ever Trained Facility Assistance Dog

What:

Jackson Health System is welcoming a new member to the team – the health system’s first-ever facility assistance dog, Harmony.

Jackson North Medical Center has partnered with Educated Canines Assisting with Disabilities, a Connecticut-based nonprofit that connects organizations across the nation with trained dogs to assist individuals with different disabilities, to onboard Harmony and serve its rehabilitation patients through therapeutic services.

Trained facility assistance dogs can help reduce patients’ anxiety and stress in different environments or circumstances. Harmony underwent two years of intense training to respond to more than 80 cues at the direction of her four handlers, who are rehabilitation therapists at Jackson North. The handlers were specially trained to use Harmony’s skills in a hospital setting to engage patients in activities that meet their rehabilitation goals.

Harmony’s services range from companionship, retrieving items, tugging a rope, and walking next to patients who are working on their balance and strength. In addition, patients at Jackson North will be able to play, feed, groom, and walk with her.

Harmony will serve as a full-time employee at Jackson North, and will be cared for by her handlers. She will receive a Jackson badge and will make her services available to all patients in need of a furry companion. To make an appointment with Harmony, Jackson patients can call her phone number or email her Jackson inbox.

Meet Harmony at Jackson North from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. on Wednesday, February 8 as the team welcomes Jackson’s chief canine officer to her new home.

Who:

Tracilyn Urruela, director of rehabilitation services at Jackson North Medical Center

Pamela Diamond, occupational therapist at Jackson North Medical Center

Erica R. Poulin, occupational therapist at Jackson North Medical Center

Andres Yanez, recreational therapist at Jackson North Medical Center

When:

11 a.m. to 1 p.m. Wednesday, February 8, 2023

Where:

Jackson North Medical Center
160 N.W. 170th St.
North Miami Beach, FL 33169

Notes:

Media can park in the east end of the visitor parking lot. A member of the media relations team will meet media in front of the Jackson North building.