Darrell, Princeton House’s new facility therapy dog, attends group sessions, joins unit rounds, and serves as a source of emotional support for inpatients, including First Responder Treatment Services patients. About 20 different team members in roles ranging from psychiatrists and nurses to social workers and therapists were trained to be his handlers, ensuring consistency in his role. A two-year-old labrador retriever, Darrell is on duty Monday through Friday.
“It's amazing how quickly he can bring a smile to patients’ faces, but he does more than provide comfort and relieve stress,” explains Yuko Martin, MA, MT-BC, LPC, ACS, director of Allied Clinical Therapies at the Princeton House inpatient site and coordinator of Darrell’s day-to-day schedule. “Research shows that animal-assisted therapy can support treatment goals by fostering the safe space of the therapeutic environment and enhancing the connection between patient and therapist.”
Darrell was provided and trained by Warrior Canine Connection, an organization that uses a mission-based trauma recovery model to help those recovering from the stress of combat reconnect with life. Named after retired U.S. Air Force Colonel Darrell Mayfield, Darrell spends his off-duty hours with Tony Ferguson, Manager of Environmental Services.
“It’s not surprising that Darrell received an overwhelming number of votes for the New Employee of the Quarter award last fall,” adds Martin. “He creates connections wherever he goes.”
