Child Life Services

The Child Life and Facility Dog program at The Masonic Institute for the Developing Brain (MIDB) is a collaborative program in partnership with M Health Fairview Masonic Children’s Hospital. Our child life specialists (CCLS) are integrated within our pediatric setting promoting patient and family-centered care principles to meet the individual needs of children and families utilizing services at MIDB.
What is child life?
Certified child life specialists (CCLS) are clinically trained professionals with advanced knowledge and understanding of child and adolescent development. CCLS assess pediatric and family stress factors to design & facilitate interventions aimed at reducing stress and promoting coping.
Some common interventions led by a CCLS include:
- Offering therapeutic play opportunities to build rapport and normalize the environment.
- Sharing developmentally appropriate information so kids and families know what to expect.
- Facilitating medical play to encourage exploration, processing, and expression of thoughts and feelings related to procedures or diagnoses.
- Identification, development, and rehearsal of coping skills.
- Providing developmentally appropriate resources and facilitating therapeutic activities for kids and families experiencing grief, loss, or trauma.
What is a facility dog?
Facility dogs are trained assistance dogs. Facility dogs are not emotional support animals or therapy dogs. Facility dogs, like any type of assistance dogs, are skilled-trained/task-trained. Jersey is the third facility dog to join the NutriSource BARK Buddies Facility Dog program in the M Health Fairview System. Can Do Canines, an accredited member of Assistance Dogs International, provided skill-training for Jersey since she was a puppy. The NutriSource BARK Buddies Facility Dog program is supported by community partners like NutriSource, the program's flagship donor, and NetSPI, our partner that supports Jersey's work at MIDB.
How does our Child Life and Facility Dog program at MIDB work?
In alignment with evidence-based best practices our child life team integrates facility dog interventions as an option when supporting patients and families at MIDB. When responding to referrals placed for child life services the CCLS will assess with family, child, and staff if integrating Jersey into the intervention will support the identified clinical and therapeutic goals of the child and family. Our staff asks for your understanding in recognizing that Jersey has a busy job at MIDB and may not be available during your visit. Additionally, the child life team assesses and respects individual preferences for dogs. Please let the front desk staff know if you have a fear of dogs or other concerns.