For 11-year-old Jesus Roman Ramirez, everyday tasks can be a struggle. Since December, the Stockton native has been at UCSF Benioff’s Children’s Hospital in Oakland recovering from Guillain-Barre Syndrome.
As a part of his treatment plan, Jesus has been participating in the hospital’s music therapy program – with the assistance of a very special helper.
“He visits me, and I always go give him some cuddles and he’s my best friend,” Jesus said.
Meet Arnie, one of the hospital’s facility dogs.
Together with his trainer Erica, Arnie helps patients like Jesus.
This program has been around for over 16 years and was one of the first of its kind in Northern California. And experts tell us the benefits of working with animals like Arnie here are plentiful.
“Music, as we know, is healing. And to have the combination of the healing process of music and being able to have Arnie as a tool to utilize for patients – I think is very unique and makes the experience amazing for our patients,” said Rechelle Porter.