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Child Life Facility Dog: Meet Dorian

Meet Dorian

Dorian is a golden doodle mix that works on the Pediatric Medical/Surgery and Pediatric Intensive Care units with his primary and secondary handlers. He also responds to consults throughout Golisano Children’s Hospital including on the Hematology/Oncology Unit, Pediatric Sedation Center and Pre-op.

A certified child life specialist handles Dorian, who lives at home with his primary handler.

Dorian’s favorite things to do are snuggling with patients, taking naps, and chasing lizards during his breaks at work.

  • Birthday: Dec. 10, 2017
  • Favorite Toy: Squeaking hedgehog
  • Favorite things to do outside of work: Nap, chase squirrels and lizards on long walks
  • Favorite thing about his job: Building relationships with patients and making them smile
  • Fun Fact: Dorian was born into a littler of seven boy dogs and many of them work as facility dogs in hospitals across the country

What Does a Dorian Do?

Dorian is a part of the child life team and works at the hospital full-time (Monday through Friday). He works as a team with his handlers, two certified child life specialists, to provide support and comfort, enhance a patient and family’s coping with healthcare experiences and, overall, improves the patient experience at the hospital.

Dorian was born and raised at a nonprofit organization in Milton, GA called Canine Assistants. He was trained using a bond-based approach.

Funding for Dorian was provided through a grant by Dunkin Donuts’ Joy in Childhood Foundation.

How can Dorian support your child during their healthcare experience?

  • Provide an alternate focus and comfort for patients during painful procedures
  • Teaching patients about upcoming tests and procedures
  • Encourage patients to ambulate after surgery and during hospitalization
  • Ease stress and anxiety of patients and families through physical contact and soft touch
  • Non-pharmacological support for pain management
  • Support for patient and family at end-of-life and bereavement

Contact Us

If you feel that your child would benefit from Dorian’s support during their healthcare experience, please contact the child life specialist on your unit.

Follow Golisano Children’s Hospital of Southwest Florida on Instagram to see more from Dorian and Lemon: @GCH_SWFL

Want even more from the facility dogs? Follow their handlers for a look inside their day-to-day activities at: @gchswfl_facilitydogs
**This page is not directly affiliated with Lee Health and is independently managed by Dorian and Lemon's handlers. For questions regarding the facility dogs, please message the main GCH page.