HOW WE HELP
Delivering Smiles One Paw at a Time
DISTRIBUTING TOYS TO HOSPITALIZED CHILDREN
Bringing Smiles and Raising Spirits
Our therapy dogs visit and deliver toys to children in hospitals. While we can't be there for every child's hospital visit, it is our mission to make sure each child receives a toy. Whenever possible, the toy delivered will be in the likeness of the therapy dog delivering the toy, making for a one of a kind connection.
NATIONALLY CERTIFIED THERAPY DOGS
Connecting Personally
All our therapy dogs have gone through rigorous training and have received their certification to work with children in hospitals and other medical settings. Patients and their families often remark that they feel less stressed and calmer after a visit with our therapy dogs.
DID YOU KNOW?
More Than a Pretty Smile
When a child has a toy in the hospital, it doesn’t only bring them a smile. Studies show that children who play with toys in hospitals show less signs of stress, heal faster and have an improved outlook. Similarly, studies have also shown benefits to patients who have been visited by therapy dogs. See our research section for more details.
BARK FOR A CAUSE
A Bit of Background
Canine pals Bark-André Furry and Sir Winston da Doodle first met and became friends over their love of the Golden Knights. When they were invited by some Golden Knights fans to visit their children in hospitals, they were inspired by the positive impact they had on the children and decided to become certified therapy dogs.
While visiting children in the hospital, Bark For A Cause co-founder Rick Williams began giving the children Bark-André Furry plush toys during the visits. After watching the joyful reaction and big smiles of the children receiving the stuffs, Rick quickly realized that he was on to something special.
In order to bring smiles to more children, Rick approached Bark For A Cause co-founders, Dori and Manny Arin, and together with their dog Sir Winston da Doodle, they formed Bark For A Cause. The non-profit organization hopes to one day deliver a toy to every child hospitalized in southern Nevada.
Bark For A Cause is a 501(c)(3) non-profit based in Nevada.
BARK FOR A CAUSE
The Research
What difference does a toy or therapy dog visit make? It turns out, a lot! When a child in a hospital plays with a toy or therapy dog, anxiety can be reduced and the healing process can be accelerated. Even family members can benefit from interacting with a therapy dog. Here are just a few studies that illustrate this point.
The Importance of Play During Hospitalization of Children
Kids’ Perceptions toward Children’s Ward Healing Environments
Effect of Toys and Preoperative Visit on Reducing Children's Anxiety
Therapy dogs may unlock health benefits for patients in hospital ICUs
"Izzy has been going to the hospital since February 2018. She had many visits that finally led to her diagnosis of Neuroblastoma on April 13, 2018. Since then there have been 100s of hours spent in the hospital. One thing she has enjoyed is decorating her hospital room by putting stuffed animals and pictures all over. This helps her feel normal, happy and makes the stay just a little easier. She also enjoys watching the Golden Knights and likes all things Golden Knights, so it was no surprise that she fell in love with (Knights fans) Bark and Winston from the moment she saw them. Their stuffed animals are now a part of our family and also go to doctors appointments and hospital stays. They bring her comfort and for that we thank Bark For A Cause!!"
Tierra M. - Izzy's mom
IN THE NEWS
Latest Stories
BARK FOR A CAUSE AND ANIMAL FOUNDATION'S BOW WOW HOEDOWN FEATURED ON FOX 5'S MORE ACCESS!
10/16/19
It was Bark For a Cause's first interview! We were on Fox 5 promoting our first event- The Bow Wow Hoedown! Click on the photo to see the interview!
