This is a touching tale of a saved pooch that has brought joy to children who are unique and stand out from the crowd. Chance, by providing comfort and solace, is utilizing his newfound life to the fullest.
At Shriners Children’s Hospital Lexington, a therapy dog named Chance is making history as the first rescue dog to work there. Chance had a tough start in life, being found malnourished and with a bullet in his shoulder. Despite receiving medical attention and care from Camp Jean Rescue, Chance sadly lost his front leg due to complications from the bullet wound. However, he didn’t let this slow him down and quickly adapted to life on three legs. Chance’s winning personality and gentle nature made him the perfect candidate for therapy dog training, and he now brings joy and comfort to the children at the hospital.
Chance was adopted by his owner, Andrea White, six weeks after his leg was amputated. Impressed with Chance’s kindness, intelligence, and obedience, Andrea decided to get pet therapy certification. As a former Shriners nurse, she wanted to focus on visiting patients with limb deficiencies. After going through Love on a Leash therapy pet training, Chance became a certified therapy dog and started visiting kids with limb disabilities at Shriners Children’s Lexington. The visits take place mostly in clinic exam rooms, and the kids are thrilled to see him. Many of them, even parents and siblings, get down on the floor to be closer to him. During the visits, people are very curious about how he lost his leg. Chance enjoys working and helping children living with a limb difference, and gets excited when he is going to work and pulling into the hospital parking lot.
Chance is a dog who brings joy to every family he visits. Emily Yost, whose son Arlo is a prosthetics patient at Shriner Children’s Lexington, describes their meeting with Chance as a profound experience. Yost noted that Chance had a unique level of relatability and compassion. After the visit, Arlo showed concern about Chance’s well-being and how they could help him further. Yost explained to Arlo that Chance, like him, is doing well and can accomplish anything he sets his mind to, just like Arlo does every day.
The hospital staff also feels the positive aura that Chance brings. Beth English, who works as a licensed recreational therapist at the hospital, shares how Chance’s presence helps in easing the anxiety and stress that patients and their families experience during long prosthetics clinic visits. She further explains that since these visits can go beyond an hour, seeing Chance gives them something to anticipate. The happiness on their faces when they see Chance is priceless.
During his free time, Chance likes to hang out with his friends. When he’s at home, he either spends time with White or plays with his rescue dog companion, Sadie. White hopes that Chance’s job motivates animal enthusiasts to back therapy dog initiatives, which are present not only in hospitals but also in nursing homes, schools, airports, and libraries.