Dr. Albert Pendleton sent an email to Renee Cameron, Taylor Wilson and Rhonda Brunner regarding a pediatric patient with a sensorimotor dysfunction. Dr. Pendleton was reaching out to discuss this patient's pre-operative care and sedation. Through the email it was decided that this patient would be the 2nd procedure so that pre-operative sedation could be given and be effective prior to transportation to the Operating Room. During a pre-operative planning session involving Renee, Rhonda, Taylor, and Amanda, this patient's care was discussed. Amanda's husband works for the local police department and is the handler for a crisis response dog. It was suggested that the dog be brought in to assist with keeping the patient calm and comfortable. Amanda reached out to her husband, and he was given permission to bring the dog in. Rhonda reached out to the patient's mom, and she was very grateful to have attempted this method. The mother was so overwhelmed with the attempt to keep her son calm that she burst into tears and stated, "This is the nicest thing anyone has ever done for my son!"

On the day of surgery, Barney, the crisis response dog, and Mary Anne met the patient & family at the door of the facility. The patient was extremely receptive to Barney. He was taken to pre-op, registered, and medicated. Mary Anne was his pre-op nurse. With Barney by his side, he remained calm. While mom and dad were focused on the patient, Abigail entertained the patient's sister. Renee met with the OR staff, which included Kayla, Gina and Tiffany Robison, CST and discussed the fact the Barney would remain with the patient until his anesthetic induction. It was decided by the OR team to open the sterile supplies and instruments after the patient received his anesthetic. The room lights were dimmed, and the room was quiet. When the time came to transfer the patient to the OR, the patient then became agitated despite Barney and both of his parents being present.

The patient was taken into the OR room with his mother, Kayla, Renee, and the anesthesia staff. Gina, Kayla and Renee assisted the anesthesia staff while the anesthetic induction took place. Tiffany escorted the mom out of the room after the patient began to go to sleep. The surgery was performed. The patient was taken to PACU Phase 1 after the surgery was complete. Cori remained with the patient through Phases 1 and 2 of PACU. The mom expressed how much easier this process had been compared to previous surgical encounters. This was truly a collaborative process and was very appreciated by the family.