Kohl’s funds pet therapy program at Mission Children’s Hospital for seventh year

Press release

From Mission Health

ASHEVILLE, N.C. (Nov. 1, 2012) – For the seventh year in a row, the Paws on a Mission pet therapy program at Mission Children’s Hospital has been awarded a grant from Kohl’s Department Stores, a gift which will be celebrated Thurs., Nov. 1, 2012, from 4 to 6 p.m. at the Reuter Outpatient Center located at 11 Vanderbilt Park Drive just off I-40. The public is invited.

The gift of $22,820 was made through Mission Foundation, which is sponsoring the celebration, and the gift will be presented by Yvonne Hutson, Asheville Kohl’s Store Manager. Kohl’s commitment to Mission Children’s Hospital is made possible through the Kohl’s Cares® cause merchandise program.
Following the presentation, the “SuperDogs and SuperKids” celebration continues as each pet therapy dog is introduced and a heroic moment in their pet therapy work is highlighted. Pets are proven motivators to get kids up, out of the house, active and moving. There will be healthy refreshments and lots of room to run, play and engage with the pet therapy dogs at the event. From the smallest Chihuahua, Luther, to the gregarious yellow lab, Sherlock, pet therapy dogs encourage healing and health through unconditional love and acceptance.

“The therapy dogs in Paws On A Mission serve children and their families in many ways, said Susan Mims, M.D., M.P.H., Vice President of Mission Children’s Hospital. “When kids come to our hospital, they are often scared, anxious and hurting, but when they see a dog, things change. The dogs can motivate the children to move as part of their recovery or weight loss management program. The dogs can even ease the trauma of a child who may have been abused as they can tell their story to the therapy dog before speaking to staff.”

The gift will help fund programs such as the new partnership formed with the YMCA of Western North Carolina, where the pet therapy dogs will be included in several of the Y’s after school programs.

“Dogs are a great tool to get kids up off the couch and running, jumping and throwing as they interact with the dogs,” Mims said. “A dog can help encourage an active lifestyle.”

Paws On A Mission is part of Mission Hospital’s Integrative Healthcare Department. In addition to their work in the Mission Children’s Hospital inpatient and outpatient facilities, the dogs and their human companions visit patients and visitors in many nursing units and waiting areas. All dogs must be registered therapy dogs with the Delta Society or Therapy Dogs Inc. While on duty, they wear Mission Hospital badges.

About Kohl’s Department Stores
Based in Menomonee Falls, Wis., Kohl’s (NYSE: KSS) is a family-focused, value-oriented specialty department store offering moderately priced, exclusive and national brand apparel, shoes, accessories, beauty and home products in an exciting shopping environment. With a commitment to environmental leadership, Kohl’s operates 1,134 stores in 49 states. In support of the communities it serves, Kohl’s has raised more than $208 million for children’s initiatives nationwide through its Kohl’s Cares® cause merchandise program, which operates under Kohl’s Cares, LLC, a wholly-owned subsidiary of Kohl’s Department Stores, Inc. For a list of store locations and information, or for the added convenience of shopping online, visit www.Kohls.com, or join the discussion on Facebook http://www.facebook.com/kohls or Twitter http://twitter.com/Kohls.

About Mission Children’s Hospital
Mission Children’s Hospital (MCH) is a member hospital of Mission Health, which is dedicated to promoting the health and wellness for children across Western North Carolina. MCH is the region’s only hospital dedicated solely to children and through its many medical specialties and services, provides high-quality care close to home. MCH provides care to all children, regardless of their family’s ability to pay. More information is available at www.missio2nhospitals.org.