Memorial Hermann The Woodlands Medical Center Celebrates 500th Patient Milestone with Facility Dog Program

THE WOODLANDS, TX -- Memorial Hermann The Woodlands Medical Center is changing the way patients - and their staff - experience time in the hospital.

Donning his official name badge, Memorial Hermann The Woodlands’ facility dog, Kinson, and his handler, Ashley Halland, LCSW, are taking patient care to the next level. Kinson uses his specialty service dog training (18 months with a puppy raiser and six months at Canine Companions) to enhance rehabilitation, provide motivation during patient therapy, bring comfort during difficult procedures, and create joy for the entire staff.

Puppy raisers are volunteers who help bring puppies out of “puppyhood,” helping with socialization, potty training, manners, and the like. According to Canine Companions, facility dogs are “expertly trained dogs who partner with a facilitator and work in a health care, visitation, or education setting.”

Expert, indeed. Kinson and Ashley recently celebrated a major milestone - 500 patient interactions since their start together in August.

And while this is Ashley’s first time to work with a facility dog at Memorial Hermann The Woodlands, she is no stranger to working with dogs.

“I’ve always loved dogs,” Ashley said. You can hear the joy in her voice as she travels down memory lane, recalling the time her family was a puppy raiser for a guide dog. After a year and a half, Ashley’s family’s dog was matched with a blind man who used the guide dog for the rest of the dog’s career. Then, in college, Ashley worked with Canine Companions, worked at a vet throughout grad school, helped at training centers, and fostered dogs. She had a lightbulb moment when she heard about facility dogs in adult settings because she always had an interest in how dogs can help people.

Ashley approached Memorial Hermann The Woodlands’ CEO Justin Kendrick with the idea to bring a facility dog to the hospital. He gave the program the green light, and the rest, as they say, is history.

“This is my dream job,” Ashley said. “This is made for me. I’ve spent my entire career in healthcare and social work but always loved dogs. Dogs are just my passion. To merge healthcare and the dog experience, it was truly a dream come true.”

Kinson’s impact has been felt by hundreds of patients and staff. Ashley recalled one story when a Down Syndrome patient in the ICU was terrified of needles. One day, the patient needed a significant needle stick. Ashley brought Kinson in, and the patient was so wrapped up in loving on Kinson, which included giving him treats, that she barely made a peep when it was time for her needle sticks. The nurse said that she was the best patient of the day. Kinson’s presence made an impact not just in the needle sticks but also in the rest of the patient’s stay.

“It’s just such a privilege to be able to see the impact that a dog can make on someone who is having a hard day or who has been in the hospital for a month,” Ashley said.

Kinson is not only adorable, but he is friendly, motivating, has great eye contact, and is always looking for what he needs to do next, such as pushing doors open. He softens the environment because patients and staff are comforted and motivated by his presence. As Ashley puts it, he is “innately delightful!”

Whether Kinson is helping patients get out of bed for therapy or acting as a finish line for ambulation goals, he’s making a difference in the lives of those around him.

“I can do things I didn’t think I could when Kinson’s with me,” one patient said.

Five hundred patients impacted, many more to go.

“Our CEO really had the foresight to see how a dog can impact our patients and having him on staff just enhances the whole hospital experience,” Ashley said. “He provides support to the staff too. Even just walking through the halls and the staff knowing he’s there comforts the team members who are taking care of patients. He brings a light to everybody wherever we go.”

Ashley and Kinson target their visits to patients who are in the hospital for long stays, and the two can be found bringing light and joy to all Tuesdays through Fridays.

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