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WFAA: You’ve heard all about therapy dogs. This therapy cat is raising spirits at a Dallas pediatric hospital

WFAA: You’ve heard all about therapy dogs. This therapy cat is raising spirits at a Dallas pediatric hospital

by | Jul 20, 2023 | Press Coverage, Spotlight

Society is often divided into two groups:  dog people and cat people.
 
Sometimes, people fall into both categories.
 
But it can take a lot to win someone over from the other side.
 
Sarah Dutton has seen it happen time after time.
 
Every couple of weeks, she straps a clear, hardshell backpack with mesh sides and several air vents into Scottish Rite for Children in Dallas.
 
Once inside, the precious cargo is removed, leashed, and together, they begin delivery of a dose of medicine that is as effective as it is cute and cuddly.
 
“You can do anything with Harry,” Dutton said. “ You can touch his ears, you can touch his tail, you can touch his paws, even his whiskers.”
 
Harry is her cat.
She and her husband found him run over in the middle of a Denton County road.
 
They nursed him back to health, and now he’s a therapy cat.
During his twice monthly visits, Harry might sit in the lap of a child in a wheelchair or curl up in a bed beside a patient at Scottish Rite.
 
Sometimes nurses or parents hold him.
 
Often, they gush over him.
 
“He’s the calmest cat I’ve ever seen,” laughed Sam Bryant, a certified pediatric nurse, as she held him.
 
Scottish Rite is world-renowned for treating complex orthopedic conditions, especially limb differences.
 
And that’s one reason Harry connects so well with this hospital’s patients.
 
When Dutton’s husband found Harry, more than one veterinarian clinic said he probably needed to be euthanized.
 
But the couple wasn’t convinced.
He ended up losing a leg and shoulder to amputation. But Harry fully recovered. And as he healed, Dutton saw the potential for him to help heal others.
 
“The fact that he had three legs. I felt like he could touch some people — show that you can get hurt and be disabled and be totally fine and live a normal life,” Dutton said.
 
She and Harry trained through Pet Partners, completing hours of training online and in person.
 
Harry’s twice a month visits to Scottish Rite are now highly anticipated by patients and staff.
 
“I have a cat at home and sometimes I go home to my cat and I’m like, why can’t you be like Harry?” Bryant said. “He just stares at you with his big old eyes, and kids just love that. Even kids who aren’t cat people. He really kind of changes people’s perspectives on cats.”
 
Kaliyah Brownlee got nervous the moment Harry was within view.
 
“So, this is my biggest fear,” the 9-year-old said under her breath, as she was getting an infusion for Lupus treatment at Scottish Rite’s rheumatology clinic.

A black and white cat wearing a harness and leash

Brownlee’s mother, Montranece Randall, said her daughter would normally take off running when she saw a cat.
 
“She runs. We both run!” Randall said.
 
In the clinic next to Brownlee was 8-year-old Virginia Chappelle.
 
While Chappelle got her infusion, she was petting Harry.
 
“He’s so cute,” Chappelle said. “I love his little nose.”
 
And as Brownlee watched Harry work his magic on Chappelle, she gained courage.
 
She wanted Dutton to bring him closer. Touching Harry soon turned into petting him. Then petting him turned into holding him.
 
“I thought I was going to be scared, but I’m not scared of cats anymore!” she said. 
 
“I think we should get one,” she told her mom – who also pet Harry.
 
Harry might not be the kind of medicine doctors prescribe, but the special connection he makes with patients is its own kind of cure.
 
I feel like he understands a lot of people’s emotions and what they need,” said Dutton.

Read the entire article.

Get to Know our Staff: Nandina Paria, Research

Get to Know our Staff: Nandina Paria, Research

by | Jul 12, 2023 | Spotlight

What is your job title/your role at Scottish Rite for Children? 
I work as a senior scientist in the Molecular Genetics division of the Research department. I am responsible for conducting various research projects to identify the genetic cause of the musculoskeletal disorders treated at Scottish Rite and study the molecular mechanism of disease development. Additionally, I oversee the daily lab operation/maintenance as a lab manager.

What do you do on a daily basis or what sort of duties do you have at work?
My daily work involves designing and performing experiments in the lab, analyzing and interpreting data pertaining to various projects. I spend a lot of time in the lab doing experiments on bench.

What was your first job? What path did you take to get here or what led you to Scottish Rite? How long have you worked here?
When I was in college, I used to tutor a high school student. That was my first job.

I did my masters in Molecular Biology in India and came to the United States to pursue my Ph.D. I always wanted to work on human diseases so that my research/findings can benefit people. After I finished my Ph.D., I got an opportunity to join Dr. Carol Wise’s group as a postdoctoral fellow at Scottish Rite, and my dream came true! I have been working in Scottish Rite for past 11 years.

What do you enjoy most about Scottish Rite?
I love the work environment at Scottish Rite. I am very thankful to be a part of a group where people are extremely nice, supportive, helpful and fun-loving. I thoroughly enjoy working here.

Tell us something about your job that others might not already know?
Research is hard, and we do not get to see success every day. But when we discover something that can help patient care in the long run, even to a little extent, I find that very rewarding!

Where is the most interesting place you’ve been?
That would be my visit to the Sam Sand Dunes in Rajasthan, India, when I was a child. Exploring the desert riding on a camel’s back was the most fascinating and interesting experience ever.

What is your favorite game or sport to watch and play?
I love to watch soccer and cricket when I get a chance.

If you could go back in time, what year would you travel to?
I would like to go back to my childhood years … those days were precious!

What’s one fun fact about yourself?
I love to listen to audio stories during my commute to and from work. I am a huge fan of thrillers!

Share Your Story: Ella Grace’s Extraordinary Journey

Share Your Story: Ella Grace’s Extraordinary Journey

by | Jul 10, 2023 | Rheumatology

After noticing concerning symptoms like hair loss and skin changes on her forehead, 2½-year-old Ella Grace and her mom Brandi were referred to Scottish Rite for Children for help. When they traveled from their home state of Louisiana to visit us, our team quickly diagnosed Ella Grace with localized scleroderma, an inflammatory condition that causes hard or thickened patches of skin on the body, and Parry-Romberg syndrome, a rare condition that causes a slow breakdown of the skin and soft tissues of the face. Both conditions are rheumatological in origin, so our Rheumatology team was able to begin creating a treatment plan for her right away. 

Now at age 5, Ella Grace has come a long way since first becoming our patient. At first, she was absolutely terrified of doctors, hospitals and nurses. Throughout her treatments including weekly injections, infusions multiple times a month and taking many medications a day, our team has loved and nurtured Ella Grace to help her feel cared for and comforted while at Scottish Rite.

Ella Grace’s condition is not common – Parry-Romberg is estimated to affect 1 in 250,000 people in the general population and does not have a known cure. Brandi says that working with Dr. Elizabeth Sloan, Dr. Lorien Nassi and certified family nurse practitioner Stephanie Armendariz has been nothing short of phenomenal. Not only do they have knowledge about this rare disease, but they also care for Ella Grace like she is their own and are always a phone call away.

Our team is doing whatever it takes to get Ella Grace’s disease into remission while providing Ella Grace with the support she needs to cope with her treatment. Two special caregivers of Ella Grace’s are Jill Black, R.N., who made her comfortable and earned her trust from day one and Hope Wheatcroft, R.N., who has been with her every step of the way and takes the time to play or do arts and crafts with Ella Grace during her infusion appointments. 

According to Brandi, when she and Ella Grace come to Scottish Rite, they are always welcomed with open arms and greeted with a smile. Back at home, Ella Grace stays busy with competitive cheerleading and being the best big sister ever to her two younger brothers. We’re amazed by the progress Ella Grace has made in her treatment journey, and we are proud to be a part of her ongoing care! ❤️

Learn more about our Rheumatology services.

DO YOU HAVE A STORY? WE WANT TO HEAR IT! SHARE YOUR STORY WITH US.

Donor Spotlight: A Promise Kept in Abundance

Donor Spotlight: A Promise Kept in Abundance

by | Jul 7, 2023 | Spotlight

“Scottish Rite for Children provides the best care in the world, regardless of a family’s ability to pay,” says retired Texas State Senator Troy Fraser. Fifty years ago, Troy and his wife, Linda, experienced this world-class care firsthand — at a time when they needed it most. It changed the trajectory of their lives and inspired them to become champions for Scottish Rite.

The Frasers had their first child, a son, in 1972. Chase was born with clubfoot, a surprise to the family. “His foot was totally upside down,” Linda says. “The doctor said, ‘We just hope that he can walk,’ and I said, ‘No. Chase will be able to walk.’” The Frasers discovered Scottish Rite for Children and found answers for Chase’s condition with the chief of staff at the time, the late Brandon Carrell, M.D.

“Linda was pregnant with our second child, and the company that I was working for went bankrupt, so I lost my job and our health insurance,” Troy says. Anticipating a new addition to the family and Chase’s care, Troy tried to make arrangements with Scottish Rite to pay for Chase’s surgery over time, unaware that Scottish Rite would cover his care. When they learned that they would not receive a bill, it was a profound moment that stuck with them. “Scottish Rite was like an angel that came down from heaven,” Troy says. “Linda and I made a commitment that we would pay them back.”

The Frasers have graciously kept their promise and then some. For decades, they have supported Scottish Rite. Troy helped start the Central Texas Golf Classic, a golf tournament in Austin that has raised significant funds to benefit Scottish Rite patients. “To witness the heart that Troy, Linda and their family have for Scottish Rite for Children is truly amazing,” says Vice President of Development Stephanie Brigger. “They have experienced what Scottish Rite is all about, and now they are living out their commitment to support others who need our services and expertise.”

The Frasers’ favorite time of year is when a group of Scottish Rite patients participate in the Amputee Ski Trip in Winter Park, Colorado. Since 2015, the Frasers have hosted a dinner for the participants at their Colorado home. “To see those big smiles on their faces when they’re coming down that mountain,” Linda says, “it’s magical.” Moved by the experience, the Frasers established the Fraser Family Fund, which provides funding for the ski trip, prosthetic limbs and rehabilitation for Scottish Rite patients. To date, the Frasers have contributed nearly $1 million.

“What Scottish Rite did for our family was such a blessing,” Linda says. “They gave our son the ability to walk and become the man he is today. Our lives would not be what they are without Scottish Rite.”
Read the full issue.

Hand Camp Around the World

Hand Camp Around the World

by | Jun 28, 2023 | Hand Conditions

Scottish Rite for Children is world-renowned for its patient-centered care for children with orthopedic conditions, and our Center for Excellence in Hand is committed to caring for children with hand and upper limb conditions.

Focused on providing innovative treatment to help patients live active and independent lives, Occupational Therapist and Certified Hand Therapist Amy Lake, OTR, CHT, recently shared her knowledge at the 2023 World Symposium on Congenital Malformations of the Hand and Upper Limb. Working with a team from around the world, Lake served as co-chair. She shared her research and insight surrounding patient involvement in Hand Camp as well as the impact therapeutic camps have on children with hand differences. 

For more than 20 years, Scottish Rite has created a therapeutic and safe environment for patients with congenital hand differences through Hand Camp. Hand camp provides an opportunity for children with upper limb differences and their families to meet others facing the same challenges while enhancing confidence and self-esteem.

Lake’s research evaluates the positive benefits these camps provide to this patient population. Results showed that the participation in camp enhances their self-esteem and overall hand function, which promotes participation in extracurricular activities.

Her published study and passion for treating the whole child is inspiring hospitals all over the world to start their own hand camps. We are so proud to have Amy as part of our team sharing the incredible things happening at Scottish Rite.