Full-time service pup works to transform rehabilitation care

Irving—Pierce is a Labrador-Golden Retriever cross breed trained at Baylor Scott & White Health – Kinkeade Campus in Irving, where he mastered more than 40 commands designed to motivate and inspire patients through their rehabilitation. 

Pierce graduated from pup training in August, with his two handlers, primary handler Renee Vickers, clinical manager for acute care and rehabilitation services, and secondary handler Susan Deems, occupational therapist. His presence and skillset are already transforming rehabilitation patients' experience, along with team members at Baylor Scott & White Medical Center – Irving.

Pierce begins his day with Renee enthusiastically saying, “Let’s go change some lives today.” In response, Renee says Pierce “jumps out of the car eager to make that happen.” Pierce then makes his first round of greeting team members before his shift begins. 

Pierce works with Susan in rehab, providing "paws-on" support with patients’ personal rehabilitation care plans to help them progress. Pierce serves as an anchor for patients doing stability and balance exercises and as a partner to toss a ball back and forth. He also participates in group therapy, choosing the patients’ exercises by rolling the dice to determine exercise repetition and set amounts keeping the exercises fun and engaging.  

Pierce’s impact is multiplied through his uplifting and cuddly presence bringing ‘pawsitivity’ into recovery for both patients and professionals.  

 SOURCE Baylor Scott & White Health