Tis’ the season of giving, and that’s just what three patients of Joe DiMaggio Children’s Hospital did this holiday season.

Sophia, Veronica, and Eliana are past and present patients at JDCH in Hollywood, and all have been treated and saved by the hard-working doctors and staff.

Now, they are using what they have learned through their medical journey to share their fresh perspective and give hope, healing, and a little happiness to current and future patients of Joe DiMaggio Children’s Hospital.

Watch their story below.

Joe DiMaggio Children’s Hospital recently announced the newest member of its staff, Freedom, a Golden Retriever and a member of the Animal Assisted Therapy program at Memorial Healthcare System.

In his new role, Freedom will help children and their families deal with the stress and anxiety that may be associated with a stay in the hospital or a medical procedure.

According to Caitlin Stella, CEO of Joe DiMaggio Children’s Hospital, Freedom is truly a part of the care team. Freedom is available when a patient needs extra comfort or support, he can chase a ball, help patients with their shoes, open doors and let patients take him for a walk. Families and hospital staff also benefit from taking a moment out of their day to unwind in the company of these dedicated dogs. Including Freedom, all six dogs in the Animal Assisted Therapy program have important jobs within each Memorial hospital.

“This program is such an important part of Joe DiMaggio Children’s Hospital’s philosophy to heal through the power of play,” said Stella. “We see young children who actually are excited to be patients because they get to visit with their favorite four-legged friends.”

The Memorial Animal Assisted Therapy program was created in 2009 because the team at Memorial Healthcare System recognized the need to physically and emotionally support patients during their treatments with the benefits of this type of therapy.

These specially trained therapy dogs have helped to create a powerful healing environment that aims at motivating and encouraging patients to reach their goals.

There are currently six service dogs on staff throughout the Memorial hospitals. The dogs are all Golden Retrievers that come from a special service dog breeder in Connecticut. They are trained since birth to respond to 80 commands and each have their own special roles depending on where they work within the hospital system. Selected Memorial staff members receive special training and must pass a stringent test to work with the therapy dogs. Each therapy dog reports to work with a home handler and then goes home with the handler to rest after a full-time day of making a difference.

“There are numerous ways our therapy dogs help patients throughout Memorial Healthcare System, whether it’s taking their minds off of being sick, keeping them calm during a painful procedure or even helping in a rehabilitation setting,” said Tracy Meltzer, director of nursing. “Freedom is young and so full of energy; he will definitely be a fun addition to the program for everyone to enjoy.”

The Anthony Rizzo Family Foundation, a nonprofit organization founded by Chicago Cubs first baseman and cancer survivor Anthony Rizzo, has pledged $1 million to assist families battling pediatric cancer at Joe DiMaggio Children’s Hospital in Hollywood, Florida.

The donation will establish two endowments that will provide ‘forever funds’ to aid patients and families fighting pediatric cancer at the children’s hospital.

The “Hope 44 Endowed Fund” will provide grants on a case-by-case basis for families facing financial hardship during a child's cancer treatment.

The “Anthony Rizzo Family Foundation Child Life Endowed Fund” allocates the resources for a full-time oncology child life specialist, a professional who helps reduce anxiety and normalize the hospital experience for both patients and families. One of the founding principles of the Anthony Rizzo Family Foundation is the individual does not battle cancer alone, but the whole family battles it together.

“When my family and I started the Anthony Rizzo Family Foundation eight years ago, it was our dream to help as many families as we could battling pediatric cancer. Today, that dream has become a reality,” said Rizzo. “I am excited our foundation will continue to support Joe DiMaggio Children’s Hospital by giving a million-dollar endowment to assist more South Florida families. With this forever fund, we will be able to help patients to stay strong and dream big.”
 
Rizzo, a longtime Broward County resident, will present a ceremonial check for $1 million to Joe DiMaggio Children’s Hospital Foundation officials at the 8th Annual Walk-Off for Cancer event Sunday, November 24, at Pine Trails Park in Parkland. The event is one of the many Anthony Rizzo Family Foundation fundraisers that generate money for cancer research and support children and families fighting the disease.

Rizzo was diagnosed and treated for Hodgkin’s Lymphoma in 2008, just as he was beginning his professional baseball career.  

“Anthony knows firsthand what our pediatric cancer patients are going though and is an example of someone who not only beat the disease, but who hasn’t forgotten how difficult being sick is for kids and families,” said Kevin Janser, senior vice president and chief development officer for Memorial Healthcare System. “His foundation is improving lives and we’re thankful to partner
with them to deliver positive impact in South Florida.”