Child With Heart Condition Draws Courage from Black Lab Companion

1 week ago 21

Labrador Brings Comfort to Young Patients at Nashville Children’s Hospital

Hospitals can feel overwhelming, but one black Labrador named Squid is helping young patients at Monroe Carell Jr. Children’s Hospital at Vanderbilt face those challenges with a little more ease.

Squid is part of the hospital’s Canine Clinicians Facility Dog Program, where specially trained dogs provide comfort and emotional support. For 10-year-old Niah Carver, who was born with hypoplastic right heart syndrome, Squid’s presence has been life-changing.

Niah first met Squid during treatment, and their bond was instant. His calm demeanor and playful personality helped her manage the stress of long hospital stays and difficult procedures. The impact was so strong that Niah began carrying a stuffed toy version of Squid to school, using it as a source of courage on tough days, including events like field day.

Recently, her classmates got to meet the real Squid when he visited her school with his handler. The demonstration not only showed how facility dogs are trained to comfort patients but also gave Niah’s peers a chance to understand the important role he plays in her medical journey.

Her mother, Chelsea Carver, said the effect Squid has on her daughter is immediate. “She immediately is in a different headspace. It’s like someone changed the channel,” she explained. Just knowing Squid might be waiting for her was enough to calm Niah before procedures.

On days when Squid couldn’t be there, Niah’s father even dressed up like the Labrador to keep her smiling. For Niah, Squid is more than just a therapy dog — he’s a source of joy, comfort, and hope. “He makes me feel calm and kind of happy because he’s really cute,” she said.

Chelsea added that the program has been empowering for parents too. “As a parent, it takes you out of the most helpless situation where you can’t help your kid who’s suffering and gives you something that you can do for them,” she said.

Trained by Canine Companions, Squid provides his services to families free of charge. For Niah, he has turned what could be frightening experiences into more manageable moments, proving just how powerful the bond between children and dogs can be.

For the Carver family, Squid has become more than a hospital companion — he represents love, resilience, and the reminder that even in the hardest times, comfort can come from a wagging tail.