Thinking about how some of the greatest connections come from shared experiences.
Leo, a one-year-old Cocker Spaniel, was born with a cleft lip and palate - a condition that made him different from the start. But that difference is exactly what made him perfect for Randy.
Randy was born with Apert Syndrome, a rare craniofacial condition, and has undergone numerous operations at Joe DiMaggio Children’s Hospital, including an urgent procedure to open Randy’s airway. His mom, Elsie, a patient advocate for the Cleft and Craniofacial Team, immediately saw the bond that could form between a boy and a puppy who understood each other in ways words couldn’t express.
“When I saw Leo’s picture, I knew he was meant to be part of our family. Randy has faced many challenges, and I wanted him to have a companion who truly understood what it’s like to be ‘different.’ Leo is more than a pet; he’s a symbol of resilience and love," said Elsie.
When Randy and his mom met Leo, it was meant to be. Now, Leo is training to become a therapy dog, bringing comfort and understanding to children born with cleft and craniofacial conditions, one paw and bright smile at a time. ????
Elsie credits Dr. Samuel Ostrower, Chief, Pediatric Otolaryngology, Head & Neck Surgery Program at Joe DiMaggio Children’s Hospital, for saving Randy's life. Dr. Ostrower and our ENT specialists are dedicated to providing compassionate care for children with congenital conditions like Randy’s. Because at Joe DiMaggio Children's Hospital, we know that ENT health is about more than medicine; it’s about changing lives.
For more information about our Pediatric ENT services, visit the link below.
https://lnkd.in/gfFtqcKi
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