Dog who knows 40 commands lands a job at children’s hospital in Florida

• A 2 year-old-dog that knows 40 commands was hired at a Florida children’s hospital.
• The Labrador retriever can fetch stuff and push drawers. 
• The dog underwent facility dog training.

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Parks, a 2-year-old dog, has been assigned to provide mental and physical assistance at a children’s hospital in Florida.

The Labrador retriever recently joined the Orlando Health Arnold Palmer Hospital for Children’s child life team.

Welcome, Parks! The newest member of @APHospital's Child Life team, Parks, holds the special distinction of being our first facility dog. He's been trained beyond the role of a comfort animal and has completed his national certification.#ChooseOrlandoHealth #OrlandoHealth pic.twitter.com/yZTDS6UBL6— We are Orlando Health (@WeAreOrlHealth) March 22, 2022

According to the hospital, he can practice over 40 commands there, including moving toy wagons, pushing drawers, and fetching stuff.

Canine Companions, a non-profit that connects people and organizations to service dogs, provided Parks with facility dog training.

Kimberly Burbage, a child life expert at the hospital, has been partnered with the skilled pup. Parks will spend his free time with Burbage while he’s not working Monday through Friday.

Burbage said in a statement that she’s been wanting to start the program at Orlando Health Arnold Palmer for a long time and is thrilled to be able to include Parks in their patients’ and families’ hospital journeys.

“Parks and I were matched together by Canine Companions and, even though we’ve only been working together for a month, I can already see the impact he is making with our children and adolescents. I’m so grateful for the opportunity to partner with Parks in bringing some great therapeutic benefit and normalcy to the patients here at the hospital,” she added.

 In a press statement, the Orlando Health Arnold Palmer organization said Parks provides emotional support and serves as a motivation for patients and families dealing with diseases or diagnoses.

According to Canine Companions, training a facility dog costs around $50,000. In 2020, Orlando Health Arnold Palmer received a grant from PetSmart Charities to pay for the cost of Parks’ training.

Source: New York Post