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Meet Munchkin

HSHS St. Vincent Children’s Hospital’s favorite four-legged caregiver!

Munchkin the facility dog
Munchkin the golden retriver dog sitting on the floor next to her owner at HSHS St. Vincent Children's Hospital

About Munchkin

I’m a girl!

Birthdate: July 8

Likes

  • Snuggles. The longer, the better.
  • Prancing down the hallway to say, “Hello!”
  • Picking out the perfect bow for the day.
  • Playing with her toys.
  • Chasing squirrels and leaves.
  • Making you smile.

Dislikes

  • Getting up in the morning.
  • Leaving a patient’s bedside.

Meet Munchkin

Someone very special walks the halls at HSHS St. Vincent Children’s Hospital. She has four furry legs, a continuously wagging tail and the cutest face you've ever seen. And she is here for you.

Meet Munchkin. She’s more than a pet. She’s our one-of-a-kind facility dog and the heart of our care team. She may drag her paws a little getting out of bed in the morning, but once she’s up, she grabs her handler’s shoes as if to say, "Let's go! The kids need us!" It’s clear the moment she arrives at the hospital, there is nowhere else she'd rather be.

What is a facility dog?

Munchkin is different from a therapy or service dog. She is a full-time member of our children’s hospital’s care team. Let’s be honest, she is our most popular caregiver and she’s earned that title. Munchkin works alongside three special handlers and went through extensive education to learn what she does so well. From distracting patients during a procedure to comforting them during a diagnosis, she takes her role seriously. She takes pride in helping kids feel at ease, so they can focus on what matters most… being a kid.

It’s not all work and no play for this four-legged friend. When her work vest comes off or she is out for a walk, Munchkin goes into full puppy mode – zooming around, chasing leaves and grabbing her favorite toys. It’s truly special to watch her shift from focused, gentle caregiver to joyful, free-spirited pup and back again. One thing that doesn’t change through it all? Her never-ending smile. It’s pure magic.

How can Munchkin help your family?

When being in the hospital feels overwhelming, Munchkin comes in. She has a remarkable gift for making this place feel a little more like home. Munchkin is here to:

  • Ease anxiety and stress and help make the hospital feel like a more familiar, comfortable place.
  • Support you and your child's emotional, social and physical wellbeing throughout your child’s care.
  • Provide distraction, comfort and a familiar furry face during procedures, tests and the daily experience of being in the hospital.
  • Motivate and cheer on patients working toward treatment goals whether that's taking medicine, getting up and moving or anything in between.
  • Offer unconditional love and the healing power of a good, furry hug.
  • Bring comfort after scary or difficult moments.
  • Celebrate every milestone, from birthdays to going home!

Gentle, kind and ever so smiley, Munchkin doesn't just work at our hospital. She belongs here, and she can't wait to meet you. 


Questions?

Contact Child Life at (920) 433-8641 or email [email protected]. 

Support for Munchkin

As a non-profit children’s hospital, Munchkin is 100% donor funded thanks to the generous support from our community. If you’re interested in supporting Munchkin, you can donate here.

Donate here