Sand Canyon Country Club hosted many furries Sunday afternoon at the Titania K9 Foundation’s 8th annual fundraiser themed “Recruited: Wild West Gala” to raise funds for Los Angeles Children’s Hospital’s Dog Therapy Program. Friends were welcomed.
Titania K9 Foundation founders Dennis and Mark Kane help children facing illness or injury at the Wanted Wild West Gala, a fundraiser to support Children’s Hospital of Los Angeles’ therapy dog program on Sunday. Holding the superhero Titania and her dog companion K9, who symbolize the superhero spirit within. 092924 Catherine Quezada/Signal
Titania K9 Foundation Committee member Dennis Kane created a figurine of the animated superhero Titania, who had a dog companion named K9 who fights illness and injury with superpowers of love and hope. He said Kane was a CHLA patient. And courage.
Her daughter is the inspiration for the foundation’s name and its mission.
Dennis Cain said having a dog therapy program at CHLA is important because it allows patients to make their treatment days meaningful.
“Some of the kids are in the hospital for long periods of time, so when a dog comes into the room, it brightens their day. It allows them to be themselves. It’s unconditional love.” Kane said.
Participant Olivia Jerquin said this fundraiser was very important to her and her family after seeing how much the dog therapy program helped her daughter when she was a patient with CHLA.
“As soon as those dogs came into the room, she became a different person,” Jerkin said.
Jerkin said her daughter’s demeanor would change completely when the dog came into her room and visited her. They were grateful that their daughter would be more attentive and that they would have something to make her happy during her long stay in the hospital. After her daughter passed away, Jerkin wanted to continue supporting the program through fundraising.
“A lot of times, doctors and nurses and even parents just ask a lot of questions, ‘Okay, what do I do?’ and it can be overwhelming for them,” Jerkin said. “But these dogs don’t ask. They just love them. So I think it’s better to request a dog as soon as possible.”
Kate Burmaster, director of the Ammerman Family Foundation Therapy Dog Program, said the program has more than 100 certified therapy dogs visiting CHLA. The dogs visit patients for approximately 10 to 15 minutes and provide emotional and physical support.
Eight certified therapy dogs were in attendance at the celebration. Throughout the event, dog handlers were walking the dogs for guests to pick up. Several children approached the dog, petted it and learned fun facts about the dog, and the handler handed out a picture card of the dog with dog information and other facts written on the back.
Therapy dog volunteers at Children’s Hospital of Los Angeles bring their furry friends to the Titania K9 Fundraising Wild West Gala held at Sand Canyon Country Club on Sunday to give attendees a chance to help in the welfare of patients, including those battling cancer. It demonstrated the important role that therapy dog programs play. . 092924 Catherine Quezada/Signal
Charlene Lafontant held her therapy dog, Mochi, so participants could pet and cuddle her.
As she worked, she said she realized there was a natural connection between children and dogs. Dogs not only cheer up patients and doctors through tough days, but they can also help lower blood pressure and heart rate.
“They (doctors and nurses) love to see dogs too, because they have very stressful jobs. We’re happy to help them so they can help their patients. I help them de-stress,” LaFontanne said.
For her, what makes dog therapy programs so important and special are the moments when she helps patients, whether it’s for a short or long term.
“We go into the room, and some patients are there for a few days. Some are there for a very long time,” LaFontanne said. “One time, a nurse came up to me afterwards and said she hadn’t seen that patient smile in months. So having Mochi there was a real inspiration to that child in that moment. It just touches your heart that you can do that.”
