Brave Like Me Foundation Debuts First Mobile Family Pet Reunion Center
Brave Like Me Foundation, a nonprofit organization dedicated to supporting families who have children with complex medical conditions (CMCs), has launched its Mobile Family Pet Reunion Center. The one-of-a-kind mobile unit will allow hospitalized children to reunite with their family pets in a safe and comfortable environment.
Hospitalized children experience emotional distress and homesickness during lengthy hospital stays and being separated from a beloved family pet can intensify these feelings. Research shows that hospitalized patients exhibited significant decreases in pain, anxiety and fatigue, along with a substantial improvement in overall mood, after participating in pet therapy.
The reunion with a familiar, loved pet delivers the comforts of home, resulting in an even greater therapeutic effect. Additionally, reconnecting with a family pet inspires courage in children facing long-term hospital stays to cope with a new environment, unfamiliar diagnosis or medical procedure. Out of the nearly 200 children’s hospitals nationwide, only two offer a family pet center where children can reunite with their pets.
“The launch of our Mobile Family Pet Reunion Center marks our bravest and most ambitious endeavor to honor my late son, Brayden,” said Brave Like Me Co-founder, John Otten. “Brayden was fortunate to be at one of the few children’s hospitals with a family pet reunion center, where he experienced the joy and comfort of a visit from his beloved dog. This gave him immense strength and hope during his 86-day hospital stay. We are incredibly proud to bring that same comfort to other children who are in similar situations. This center is both a heartfelt tribute to Brayden and an important step forward in our mission to bring joy and courage to children with complex medical conditions every day.”
The Brave Like Me Mobile Family Pet Reunion Center is a fully transportable unit that provides a welcoming space for hospitalized children to play and snuggle with their family pets. It can be brought to hospitals and communities across the country. A comfortable play area provides a dedicated space for children to engage in joyful interactions with their pets, offering a break from medical treatments.
A unique component of the pet center is its state-of-the-art, wall-to-wall LED Magic Window that offers a virtual experience, transporting children to a cherished place such as a favorite park or their own cozy bedroom while they enjoy special moments with their pet. Children can also connect with family members through livestreaming to share in the joyous reunion. Additional highlights include vivid colors and large windows that flood the space with bright, natural light, creating a cheerful, comforting atmosphere. An accessible ramp ensures easy access for children of every mobility. The pet center is also equipped with heating and air conditioning units to provide a comfortable environment year-round. Pets visiting the mobile pet center must be bathed before each visit and cleared by their veterinarians.
“The Brave Like Me Mobile Family Pet Reunion Center would not have been possible without the incredible generosity of our donors and sponsors,” added Otten. “We’re deeply grateful to Access Audio, Kraemer Design + Production, GE Electrical Services, Cintas, InkExpo and so many others for helping bring this vision to life.”
“Cintas is honored to be a national sponsor of the Brave Like Me Mobile Family Pet Reunion Center,” said Chad Poeppelmeier, Cintas Vice President of Healthcare. “This innovative program reflects our commitment to supporting initiatives that bring care and compassion to families in need. Putting a smile on a child’s face warms the heart, and we are proud to be a part of this project that will create a meaningful impact in our communities.”
Hospitals and communities across the country will have an exclusive opportunity to experience the mobile pet center during the upcoming Brave Like Me Brave the Journey Roadshow. Roadshow stops and additional details will be announced later this year.
To learn more about the Mobile Family Pet Reunion Center and Brave Like Me, click here.