NORFOLK, Va. — Emotional support animals. They've been used for years in hospitals to help patients feel better. Now, Sentara is using them in a different way.
Normally when you see cute canines in a hospital, they’re cheering up patients.
“Sometimes people say, ‘Dr Moon is here,' or 'Oh! It's Moon. Can you come home with me?'” said Jessica Rabil, the onsite employee counselor at Sentara Norfolk General Hospital.
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Two unofficial health care providers, Moon and June, are making the rounds in the emergency department at Sentara Norfolk General to help the staff feel better.
“People are so busy in this hospital. This is a place where it’s very intense. They’re seeing and dealing with super traumatic situations,” said Rabil. "Not everybody is able to sit down and have a conversation with me and tell me how they are doing."
But they will talk to Rabil’s rescue pup Moon.
“I got him when he was 10 months old. He’s 7 years old now and he is just a natural. He relates to people. He knows what people need in that moment,” said Rabil.
Moon's presence at the hospital puts staff at ease during tense times. That's something former pediatric emergency nurse Denise LaFountain can attest to. LaFountain, who's now the Nursing Professional Development Generalist, says a little puppy love can go a long way.
“You could have all sorts of crazy stuff going on and to see that puppy walking down the hallway, it's like, 'Oh! Wait a minute, we gotta go pet the puppy!' It's almost a feeling of euphoria and peace and comfort,” said LaFountain.
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According to a 2022 CDC survey, nearly half of all hospital workers feel burned out. Sentara says they hope the support animals reduces the stress hospital staff may feel on the job.
“Sometimes we’ll get requests for Moon to [visit staff members]. My team could really use a little extra support. A little bright spot in the day,” said Rabil.
Offering easy and unassuming support, Moon and his counterpart, a 2-year-old Bernedoodle named June, complement a team of seven employee counselors for Sentara’s 12 hospitals.
“I always go around and say, 'Does anyone need a little Moon love, a little dog love?' And that’s just what it is—just a pause in their day to have a little bit of joy,” said Rabil.
Moon, June and their humans make the Sentara employee assistance program "Paws-itively" Hampton Roads.
