Kennel facilities, along with a seating area for families, are to be provided at CHI Crumlin, to bring pets closer to sick children while they undergo treatment.
This follows the work of a charity set up by Evelyn and Enda Neary from Killashee in Co Longford.
Their 15 year old son, Cian, got great comfort from his Golden Labrador puppy, Cooper while having treatment for a rare form of Lymphoma, Hepatosplenic T-cell Lymphoma.
Following his diagnosis, his parents asked him if there was anything they could get him to make him feel better. They already knew the answer.
When Cian became very unwell and had to spend three months in hospital in 2019, he pined for his dog. The family managed to find kennels nearby and most days during his treatment, Cian was able to spend time with Cooper.
“For us as a family, these outings and the time Cian spent with Cooper became the basis of lasting, precious memories when Cian sadly lost his battle for life in the early hours of September 23, 2019,” Mr Neary said in an interview with RTE..
“We experienced first-hand the joy Cooper brought Cian and us during the most difficult days,”
Professor Aengus O’Marcaigh, Consultant Paediatric Haematologist, at CHI Crumlin, told RTE, “The provision of this new service will undoubtedly bring comfort to many more children and teenagers at a very difficult time for them.”
