Service animals are such an important part of therapy for children in the hospital. For just 10-15 mins, these animals bring our kids so much joy. They get to love on them and pet them and just be happy. Being a kid in a children's hospital is hard. Sure, there are more toys and playrooms and cartoon movies playing everywhere. But it is hard...hard decisions, hard medicines, hard words, hard emotions...just plain hard things that no kid should ever have to deal with.
As adults, we all know that as we get older there are certain ailments that come with age. We expect certain things throughout life to be hard. Health issues, death, financial difficulties, jobs, etc. but never should a child have to deal with this type of hard stuff.
Olivia is in the 4th grade. 4th grade is already hard enough as the young girls are trying to figure out who they are, who their 'real' friends are, how to do long division and how to be friends with boys without the sigma that you "love" him. She shouldn't be dealing with mouth sores, losing her hair, having her body checked (everywhere!) for bruising and cuts, chemo, radiation, vomiting and SO MUCH MORE!
Olivia loved "Keys" the service dog. He is a beautiful white golden retriever from Alaska. He's soft and gentle. Olivia has made the decision and told her dad that after she is done with chemo that she wants a red (because the St. Jude logo is red) mini-goldendoodle (because they don't shed) and will name it Jude (obviously!) I just love how this girl knows that she is going to finish chemo strong and beat Bob! So sorry Kevin/Dad but this is a wish that must come true...she deserves it (we may just need a larger house and yard!) and look at the bright side, she could have asked for a llama!
Olivia has one more night in the hospital. Her ANC is still low, but she hasn't been running a fever and overall feels good. I personally think she is a little excited to stay another night because rumor has it that there is going to be someone well known here tomorrow and she wants to meet HER!
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