Children's Nurse Profiled for Youth and Pet Survivors Program
Denver's Nursing Star
Anne Gillespie, a pediatric oncology nurse at Children's Hospital Colorado, strived to find a way to bring together her two passions: kids and pets. While there are strict visiting restrictions for animals at TCH due to the immune system challenges of cancer patients, Gillespie was convinced that there had to be another way to bring animals into the lives of kids in the hospital.
It wasn't long before the idea of YAPS - Youth and Pet Survivors - came about. With the help of veterinary nurse Colleen Chambers, Gillespie worked to create a pen-pal program for patients at Children's Center for Cancer and Blood Disorders. YAPS provides children with the opportunity to connect with pet dogs that are undergoing similar experiences through email and letters.
"The genuine love that children and pets share creates a safe environment," said Gillespie, who has worked with pediatric oncology patients for 23 years. “It also gives them a chance to have compassion for an animal who went through a difficult time and provide support, encouragement and caregiving for an animal. It empowers them.”
Read more about Anne Gillespie, RN, BSN, and the YAPS program.
