CHICAGO (WBBM NEWSRADIO) - 6-year-old Xavier Dorsey is autistic and comes to La Rabida Children's hospital every Tuesday.
"We come once a week for occupational therapy," said Laquita Dorsey, Xavier's mother, who says her son lights up when he sees the new therapy dogs.
"Oh I love this. He loves this. This is only the second time he's even met a dog and I think every time he sees one, he gets more comfortable."
Zilly and Ella are trained therapy dogs and visit the hospital once a week with the handlers from the Cook County Sheriff's Department.
"Just meeting a dog, you know, otherwise they are just coming to a doctor's appointment. This is amazing. It makes me feel good to be able to do this. It's phenomenal," said Officer Renee Ortega, Ella's handler.
"It's just a fantastic opportunity to come here and share these dogs with the children and their families. We enjoy this tremendously," said Officer Jerry Roman.
The dogs are on hand to calm and soothe children and their families as they wait for doctor’s appointments and therapy.
"Tuesday mornings have become even more meaningful for me than any other day of the week because I know we're going to have our special visitors," said Brenda Wolf, CEO, La Rabida Children's Hospital.
"These pups and the officers really bring out the best for our families, our kids, and what's also been absolutely remarkable is the impact they've had on our staff." she smiled.
3-year-old Ella is named after Chicago Police Officer Ella French who was shot and killed in the line of duty in August.
"Officer French was a very kind and caring person and this dog is carrying on her legacy. She also loved animals too." said Ortega.
After the school shooting in Uvalde, Texas, Zilly and Ella visited many schools located in unincorporated Cook County to calm student anxieties in the wake of the tragedy. The Sheriff’s therapy dogs also accompany officers to evictions where they know a child will be affected.
"Our therapy dogs are something we are wildly proud of. The role they play is incalculable to all the people the dogs interact with," said Sheriff Tom Dart.
"We also spent time in child advocacy centers. That's where children are going for forensic interviews after some horrible crimes that have been committed on them.”
Dart said the therapy dogs make a big difference for everyone around them.
"Our world has been crushed right now. Whether it's the pandemic, it's wars, it's political unrest, those things take its toll on anyone. Particularly people who work in very trying professions like this. These therapy dogs bring so much. Whether it's the children that we work with or the staff that we work with, the pros are immeasurable." said Dart.
Dorsey said her family is already looking into getting Xavier his own therapy dog.
"We're trying to figure out what type of dog would be good for him and his autism. Next week he's probably going to take them home with him," she laughed.
Zilly and Ella will be at the hospital every Tuesday from 10 a.m. to noon in the Outpatient Center and Healing Garden.
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