To the casual observer, it looks like fun and games. But this particular game of fetch is
more meaningful. It’s helping Trae Bronson regain the use of his left side, which was
compromised by a massive stroke.
The stroke left Trae unable to speak or control that side of his body, but with the help of
medication and physical therapy, the teen is relearning how to speak and walk. And that’s
where Lexi comes in. The dog is part of a new program that involves animal-assisted
therapy through Texas Children’s Research Scholars Program.
The nurses in the Research Scholars Program use data they collect through their clinical
research to make meaningful changes in patient care.
“Trae responds to the dog more than any human,”
his mother,Victoria, said.
“He’ll do things for Lexi that he
wouldn’t do for anyone else.”
Nurse Scientist Marlene Walden, PhD, RN, NNP, BC, said the children in the study
are so happy to be with the dogs that they hardly notice their pain. Walden leads the
Research Scholars Program and was appointed the hospital’s first nurse scientist.
