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Child Life Facility Dog: Meet Lemon

Child Life Facility Dog: LemonMeet Lemon

Lemon is a golden retriever mix that works on the Hematology/Oncology Unit with her handler. She also responds to consults throughout Golisano Children’s Hospital including the Pediatric Medical/Surgery and Pediatric Intensive Care units .

Lemon lives at home with her primary handler, a certified child life specialist. 

Lemon's favorite treats are blueberry waffles and Nutter Butters.

  • Birthday: July 19th, 2020
  • Favorite Toy: Lamb Chop, squeaky ball, and crinkle turtle
  • Favorite things to do outside of work: belly rubs, naps, chasing my squeaky ball, and playing with my fur siblings
  • Favorite thing about her job: Building relationships with patients and making them smile
  • Fun Fact: I have 10 siblings that all have yellow themed names, I also have a cute “zipper” of fur that runs up my snout

What Does a Lemon Do?

Lemon is a part of the child life team and works at the hospital full-time (Monday through Friday). She works as a part of our child life team to provide support and comfort, enhance a patient and family’s coping with healthcare experiences and, overall, improves the patient experience at the hospital.

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

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 Lemon'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.