Meet Angela and Melanie
As Certified Child Life Specialists, Angela and Melanie’s jobs are to help children cope with hospitalizations and reduce medical trauma. Soon, an exciting four-legged addition will be joining their expert team: a facility dog! As handlers, Angela and Melanie will work with the new facility dog to help patients meet specific, individualized goals.
Angela has been a part of the Child Life team at the Stollery for 19 years, and Melanie is coming up on one year with the team. In their roles, they help Stollery kids with their Hospital experience through many different modalities, including play, procedural support, developmentally appropriate education, legacy-building activities and end-of-life support.
With the upcoming addition of a facility dog to their team, Child Life will have an additional resource for helping kids through their Hospital journey. A facility dog undergoes a two-year, extensive and specialized training program to help them excel in their area of focus. Both Angela and Melanie will be the handlers for the Stollery’s facility dog.
Outside of her work at the Stollery, Angela loves to watch her kids play competitive baseball. Melanie keeps busy by spending time with her family and friends, enjoying the outdoors (especially during the warmer months) and going to one of the many festivals in Edmonton.
Let’s learn more about Angela and Melanie:
What do you like most about your job?
A: Being able to support kids during some of their hardest days in-hospital and watch them develop and thrive!
M: Being able to support kids through challenging procedures. It’s incredibly rewarding to see them not only overcome the procedure but also to witness their strength and bravery as they cope and feel empowered afterward.
Do you have a personal connection to the Stollery?
A: My youngest son has a congenital cardiac condition and was followed by the Heart Function Clinic here at the Stollery.
Have donor funds impacted the area you work in?
A & M: Yes, donor funds have greatly impacted the Child Life department, from renovating different group programming spaces to funding various supplies throughout the year.
Do you have a standout Stollery memory?
A: There have been many over the years, but a recent standout memory would have to be finally having an outdoor programming space, the Enchanted Forest, for patients and families as well as the recently-renovated Saville Family Beach.
M: One of the many standout memories from over the past year has been when patients return to express their gratitude for the support they received during their hospitalization. It’s also rewarding to witness their progress and see how far they’ve come, knowing that I played a small part in their journey!
Do you have a favourite Stollery event?
A & M: The Stollery has many great events, but Miracle Treat Day is always a great excuse to enjoy some ice cream!
What is your favourite kid’s book?
A & M: Anything by Robert Munsch!
Thanks to your support, Stollerific staff like Angela and Melanie are making a life-changing difference for the kids and families who rely on the Stollery’s world-class care. You can continue to support programs like Child Life by donating today.
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