![Falco Spotlight](/cmsctx/pv/mdingwell/culture/en-US/wg/71a92893-5b8e-48dc-813c-8d73583ca087/readonly/0/ea/1/h/a65c3bb1dc04b5d1c13964073490033f6b5f7be901ff95d445b62d0ef33a7b57/-/getmedia/4a55b2b8-42b6-4163-bdac-a9741e9e9d16/Falco-HEADER.png?width=1200&height=618&ext=.png&uh=e0ae7d945f40ddb798ef9192a5094ace5085cb2f7c7c926e70dba6caea07add1&administrationdomain=https%253A%252F%252Fcms.scottishritehospital.org%2Chttps%253A%252F%252Fcms.scottishritehospital.org)
Jul 31, 2023 / Spotlight
Meet Falco - Our Frisco Facility Dog
What is your role at Scottish Rite for Children?![](/cmsctx/pv/mdingwell/culture/en-US/wg/71a92893-5b8e-48dc-813c-8d73583ca087/readonly/0/ea/1/h/a65c3bb1dc04b5d1c13964073490033f6b5f7be901ff95d445b62d0ef33a7b57/-/getmedia/8cfe7931-6ff0-4039-aa02-c266c9671490/Screen-Shot-2023-07-27-at-11-22-33-AM.png?width=275&height=368&uh=953f0df5a49c761cdacf329b4eff97d75d9bb6b17091bf1a76328b733c08c2ab&administrationdomain=https%253A%252F%252Fcms.scottishritehospital.org%2Chttps%253A%252F%252Fcms.scottishritehospital.org)
I am a facility dog in the Day Surgery Center at the Frisco campus.
Tell us about yourself:
My name is Falco, and I am a Black retriever. I’m named after SuperSmashBrosTM characters from Nintendo®. I have 10 siblings, and I am the biggest! My dad’s name is Mario, and he is a chocolate labradoodle. My mom’s name is Ruby, and she is golden retriever. Growing up, I played with my brother Link and my sister Zelda.
What’s something—big or small—that you’re really good at?
I really like to put my front two paws on the beds of my patients to support them as they get ready for surgery. I lay my head on their laps and cuddle close.
What are some of your hobbies?
I love napping and playing with my brother Cooper at home. Cooper is a yellow Labrador retriever, and he waits for me at the front door until I get home from work. We play and wrestle until we are tired and then nap together.
Where do you spend most of your time during the day?
I get to spend most of my day in the Day Surgery Center. I support my patients while they get ready for surgery and then I check in on them when they wake up in the recovery room.![](/cmsctx/pv/mdingwell/culture/en-US/wg/71a92893-5b8e-48dc-813c-8d73583ca087/readonly/0/ea/1/h/a65c3bb1dc04b5d1c13964073490033f6b5f7be901ff95d445b62d0ef33a7b57/-/getmedia/70c912cc-2665-461f-b20d-63cd553e7020/Screen-Shot-2023-07-27-at-10-52-51-AM.png?width=250&height=204&uh=ccc6bb860b6e8a2e1f89ca51736beda84812836ae3492fc0fb53b0b6f93dce3e&administrationdomain=https%253A%252F%252Fcms.scottishritehospital.org%2Chttps%253A%252F%252Fcms.scottishritehospital.org)
What brought you to Scottish Rite?
I was born and raised by a nonprofit organization called Canine Assistants in Milton, Georgia. My handlers Marissa and Katie were interviewed about how a facility dog would be used at Scottish Rite. That’s when Canine Assistants thought I would be the perfect pup for Scottish Rite, and they matched us together!
What is your daily routine?
5 a.m. – I wake up, stretch and let out a big yawn. I go to the backyard with my brother and then it’s off to work!!
![](/cmsctx/pv/mdingwell/culture/en-US/wg/71a92893-5b8e-48dc-813c-8d73583ca087/readonly/0/ea/1/h/a65c3bb1dc04b5d1c13964073490033f6b5f7be901ff95d445b62d0ef33a7b57/-/getmedia/ce25a506-10eb-49e4-8407-bdbfbd71c178/Screen-Shot-2023-07-27-at-10-50-03-AM_1.png?width=300&height=315&uh=272b8d9af01248b3389c252817b27587a7dab789fe17f72fad7184dfbb2f9132&administrationdomain=https%253A%252F%252Fcms.scottishritehospital.org%2Chttps%253A%252F%252Fcms.scottishritehospital.org)
6 a.m. – Once we arrive, we walk over to the preoperative area and meet patients! I like to lay across their bed and give morning cuddles. This is my way of telling patients they will do great today. I also greet the patient’s parents and sometimes end up laying on their foot or leg to use as my pillow. I stay with patients as the nurse and my child life specialist handler prepares patients for the surgery process, so they know what expect.
8:30 a.m. – Its breakfast time! I go back to the office and enjoy my breakfast and a morning nap before seeing more patients! My favorite place to sleep is under the desk, it’s my dog cave!
9:30 a.m. – I spend most of my morning helping patients feel comfortable with the surgery process. Most of the patients I meet have never had a surgery, so I spend time showing them how different medical supplies are used. This helps patients normalize to medical equipment type things and feel safe as my coworkers take care of them.
![](/cmsctx/pv/mdingwell/culture/en-US/wg/71a92893-5b8e-48dc-813c-8d73583ca087/readonly/0/ea/1/h/a65c3bb1dc04b5d1c13964073490033f6b5f7be901ff95d445b62d0ef33a7b57/-/getmedia/0585a5dd-4004-4cba-ada2-4df207812e8a/Screen-Shot-2023-07-28-at-11-03-45-AM.png?width=300&height=334&uh=956f37f0bf3a6fd98078fa134bc765d898dea260ccc690530d8801802201e0c6&administrationdomain=https%253A%252F%252Fcms.scottishritehospital.org%2Chttps%253A%252F%252Fcms.scottishritehospital.org)
11 a.m. – Once a week, a groomer comes to Scottish Rite to give me a bath. It is important that I get a weekly bath, so I can stay clean for all the patients I see.
Noon – Nap time is the best time! While my coworkers eat lunch, I take a nap. It is important that I have time to rest, so I can have plenty of energy to see my afternoon patients.
12:30 p.m. – After nap time, I play “keep away” with my toys in the hallway. I act like I’m going to let my mom and aunt get my toy, but then I run off!
1 p.m. – I’m ready to visit my patients as they wake up from surgery. I like to lean my head on their bed and get sweet pets. Some kids wake up a little confused from the sleepy medicine, but when they feel my head, and say “oh it’s Falco,” they know where they are and wake up calmer. I like spending my afternoon in the recovery area, the lights are dim, it’s quiet and sometimes I demonstrate eating ice chips to patients.
2:30 p.m. – At the end of my work day, I need another nap. I get to take off my service vest since I’m headed
home! I like to sleep on the car ride home and sometimes I snore!
3 p.m. – Once I’m home, I’m ready to play with my brother Cooper! We play inside and then nap, then outside play and then nap. It’s a pretty great way to unwind from the day!
6 p.m. – I’m hungry again and get to eat dinner.
6:30 a.m. - I may only be 15 months old, but I enjoy my rest time. I sleep while my family watches TV or works on projects around the house.
9 p.m. – Since I wake up really early, I like to lay down in my bed for the night at this time. It was such a long day with my patients, and I am ready to dream about snacks.
![](/cmsctx/pv/mdingwell/culture/en-US/wg/71a92893-5b8e-48dc-813c-8d73583ca087/readonly/0/ea/1/h/a65c3bb1dc04b5d1c13964073490033f6b5f7be901ff95d445b62d0ef33a7b57/-/getmedia/8cfe7931-6ff0-4039-aa02-c266c9671490/Screen-Shot-2023-07-27-at-11-22-33-AM.png?width=275&height=368&uh=953f0df5a49c761cdacf329b4eff97d75d9bb6b17091bf1a76328b733c08c2ab&administrationdomain=https%253A%252F%252Fcms.scottishritehospital.org%2Chttps%253A%252F%252Fcms.scottishritehospital.org)
I am a facility dog in the Day Surgery Center at the Frisco campus.
Tell us about yourself:
My name is Falco, and I am a Black retriever. I’m named after SuperSmashBrosTM characters from Nintendo®. I have 10 siblings, and I am the biggest! My dad’s name is Mario, and he is a chocolate labradoodle. My mom’s name is Ruby, and she is golden retriever. Growing up, I played with my brother Link and my sister Zelda.
What’s something—big or small—that you’re really good at?
I really like to put my front two paws on the beds of my patients to support them as they get ready for surgery. I lay my head on their laps and cuddle close.
What are some of your hobbies?
I love napping and playing with my brother Cooper at home. Cooper is a yellow Labrador retriever, and he waits for me at the front door until I get home from work. We play and wrestle until we are tired and then nap together.
Where do you spend most of your time during the day?
I get to spend most of my day in the Day Surgery Center. I support my patients while they get ready for surgery and then I check in on them when they wake up in the recovery room.
![](/cmsctx/pv/mdingwell/culture/en-US/wg/71a92893-5b8e-48dc-813c-8d73583ca087/readonly/0/ea/1/h/a65c3bb1dc04b5d1c13964073490033f6b5f7be901ff95d445b62d0ef33a7b57/-/getmedia/70c912cc-2665-461f-b20d-63cd553e7020/Screen-Shot-2023-07-27-at-10-52-51-AM.png?width=250&height=204&uh=ccc6bb860b6e8a2e1f89ca51736beda84812836ae3492fc0fb53b0b6f93dce3e&administrationdomain=https%253A%252F%252Fcms.scottishritehospital.org%2Chttps%253A%252F%252Fcms.scottishritehospital.org)
What brought you to Scottish Rite?
I was born and raised by a nonprofit organization called Canine Assistants in Milton, Georgia. My handlers Marissa and Katie were interviewed about how a facility dog would be used at Scottish Rite. That’s when Canine Assistants thought I would be the perfect pup for Scottish Rite, and they matched us together!
What is your daily routine?
5 a.m. – I wake up, stretch and let out a big yawn. I go to the backyard with my brother and then it’s off to work!!
![](/cmsctx/pv/mdingwell/culture/en-US/wg/71a92893-5b8e-48dc-813c-8d73583ca087/readonly/0/ea/1/h/a65c3bb1dc04b5d1c13964073490033f6b5f7be901ff95d445b62d0ef33a7b57/-/getmedia/ce25a506-10eb-49e4-8407-bdbfbd71c178/Screen-Shot-2023-07-27-at-10-50-03-AM_1.png?width=300&height=315&uh=272b8d9af01248b3389c252817b27587a7dab789fe17f72fad7184dfbb2f9132&administrationdomain=https%253A%252F%252Fcms.scottishritehospital.org%2Chttps%253A%252F%252Fcms.scottishritehospital.org)
6 a.m. – Once we arrive, we walk over to the preoperative area and meet patients! I like to lay across their bed and give morning cuddles. This is my way of telling patients they will do great today. I also greet the patient’s parents and sometimes end up laying on their foot or leg to use as my pillow. I stay with patients as the nurse and my child life specialist handler prepares patients for the surgery process, so they know what expect.
8:30 a.m. – Its breakfast time! I go back to the office and enjoy my breakfast and a morning nap before seeing more patients! My favorite place to sleep is under the desk, it’s my dog cave!
9:30 a.m. – I spend most of my morning helping patients feel comfortable with the surgery process. Most of the patients I meet have never had a surgery, so I spend time showing them how different medical supplies are used. This helps patients normalize to medical equipment type things and feel safe as my coworkers take care of them.
![](/cmsctx/pv/mdingwell/culture/en-US/wg/71a92893-5b8e-48dc-813c-8d73583ca087/readonly/0/ea/1/h/a65c3bb1dc04b5d1c13964073490033f6b5f7be901ff95d445b62d0ef33a7b57/-/getmedia/0585a5dd-4004-4cba-ada2-4df207812e8a/Screen-Shot-2023-07-28-at-11-03-45-AM.png?width=300&height=334&uh=956f37f0bf3a6fd98078fa134bc765d898dea260ccc690530d8801802201e0c6&administrationdomain=https%253A%252F%252Fcms.scottishritehospital.org%2Chttps%253A%252F%252Fcms.scottishritehospital.org)
11 a.m. – Once a week, a groomer comes to Scottish Rite to give me a bath. It is important that I get a weekly bath, so I can stay clean for all the patients I see.
Noon – Nap time is the best time! While my coworkers eat lunch, I take a nap. It is important that I have time to rest, so I can have plenty of energy to see my afternoon patients.
12:30 p.m. – After nap time, I play “keep away” with my toys in the hallway. I act like I’m going to let my mom and aunt get my toy, but then I run off!
1 p.m. – I’m ready to visit my patients as they wake up from surgery. I like to lean my head on their bed and get sweet pets. Some kids wake up a little confused from the sleepy medicine, but when they feel my head, and say “oh it’s Falco,” they know where they are and wake up calmer. I like spending my afternoon in the recovery area, the lights are dim, it’s quiet and sometimes I demonstrate eating ice chips to patients.
2:30 p.m. – At the end of my work day, I need another nap. I get to take off my service vest since I’m headed
![](/cmsctx/pv/mdingwell/culture/en-US/wg/71a92893-5b8e-48dc-813c-8d73583ca087/readonly/0/ea/1/h/a65c3bb1dc04b5d1c13964073490033f6b5f7be901ff95d445b62d0ef33a7b57/-/getmedia/43c221b9-930c-4f0d-9f4c-1a0778de5b09/IMG_5B0D6D8B1703-1.jpeg?width=300&height=294&uh=1f021a92653fc7a532956cb8f9e76b8b6c1dd20386978124efa5ce1cdaa851dc&administrationdomain=https%253A%252F%252Fcms.scottishritehospital.org%2Chttps%253A%252F%252Fcms.scottishritehospital.org)
3 p.m. – Once I’m home, I’m ready to play with my brother Cooper! We play inside and then nap, then outside play and then nap. It’s a pretty great way to unwind from the day!
6 p.m. – I’m hungry again and get to eat dinner.
6:30 a.m. - I may only be 15 months old, but I enjoy my rest time. I sleep while my family watches TV or works on projects around the house.
9 p.m. – Since I wake up really early, I like to lay down in my bed for the night at this time. It was such a long day with my patients, and I am ready to dream about snacks.