CHARLOTTE, N.C. — Being in the hospital is difficult enough, especially around the holidays. But there is one four-legged friend roaming the halls five days a week at Charlotte's Levine Children’s Hospital, making sure the kids there get a smile on their faces.
Sprout makes a difference for these kids as they go through various treatments, rehab exercises and oncology clinics. He ended up at Levine Children's Hospital because he wasn't too great at his original job.
"He was supposed to be a service animal, but he’s too sensitive, so he [was] reassigned as a facility dog," his owner Becca Wagner said.
The 4-year-old yellow lab came with Wagner, who manages The Ryan Seacrest Studios which is an in-house multimedia broadcast center at the hospital, six months ago. She said Sprout’s job is very impactful.
"[He gives] not only a sense of normalization and making hospitalization less scary," Wagner said. "Yu see a dog, you’re going to have fun. The kids see a dog and they’re like, 'Oh, OK, this is great.'"
One child Sprout has helped in particular is AJ Jackson. AJ's health journey started on Oct. 8 when he was hospitalized with flu and pneumonia. He was nervous about being at the hospital, but his mom, Kaitlin Jackson, said Sprout made everything easier for him.
"Sprout has helped him a lot," Kaitlin Jackson said. "That’s all he talks about. It helps him get through the day. It makes him happy, calms him down; lets him know he’s not alone."
Wagner said that’s why she loves coming to work every day with Sprout by her side.
"I think it is the most wonderful job In the world, and I’m so grateful to be a part of it here at Levine," Wagner shared.
The hospital is looking for other dogs just like him to become part of the staff.
Contact Michelle Boudin at mboudin@wcnc.com and follow her on Facebook, X and Instagram.
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