Dorothy, shown here as a puppy, provided some much-needed motivation for a boy who needed to learn how to walk again.
Credit: America’s VetDogs
When Liam Block, a 5-year-old boy with cerebral palsy, had to relearn how to walk after complex spinal surgery, he got a little help from man’s best friend. Dorothy, a 3-year-old black labrador retriever that works at Rusk Rehabilitation with physical therapy patients, motivated Liam to take his first steps during arduous physical therapy sessions.
Soon after Dorothy began working at NYU Langone in March 2024, she began working with Liam at the NYU Langone Orthopedic Hospital. Before Liam’s surgery, he could not stand or walk without an assistive device and required intensive physical therapy for a year after the operation, attending as many as five sessions a week. In those sessions, he had to relearn basic tasks like walking and kneeling.
“Liam is a great kid with a big personality,” says Sarah Cosgrave, a physical therapist at Rusk who works with him. “The therapy was tedious and difficult, so it was hard to engage him day in and day out, but bringing in Dot changed his outlook completely.”
Dot and Liam had an instant connection. Dot loved to play “dunk” with Liam, a game that helps patients practice squatting down to pick up a ball that Dot then dunks in a short, plastic basketball hoop. Dunk was one of Liam’s favorite games, right behind walking Dot on a leash through the halls of Rusk Rehabilitation.
“It’s challenging to keep a 5-year old focused and motivated to work toward their therapy goals,” said Dot’s handler, Jacqueline Haight, a child life specialist for Rusk Rehabilitation. “When Liam met Dot, his enthusiasm came right back.”
Dot’s work may include a variety of exercises, helping patients by running obstacle courses with them or showing them how to use a balance beam. She even helps the staff at Rusk, boosting morale during a weekly “pets and play” session. Everyone who meets Dot loves her, and she has quickly made herself an invaluable team member.
“Having a fun, trained, sweet dog at patient appointments is such a transformative experience,” Haight said.
Facility dogs like Dot are specially trained to help young patients complete arduous exercises important for physical rehabilitation. Dot came to NYU Langone from America’s VetDogs, an organization that primarily trains and places service dogs with veterans, after Haight approached them with a proposal to work beyond the military setting.
“When I spoke with America's VetDogs about Rusk Rehabilitation and discussed what personality and skills would be helpful, they immediately knew the dog for the job,” Haight said.
Before Dot came to NYU Langone, she underwent a two-year training program designed to help her become the best fit for the job. America’s VetDogs worked closely with NYU Langone to understand what types of commands she needs to know, her behavior requirements, and what tasks she needs to complete.
Liam’s mom, Sarah Block, can’t thank NYU Langone enough for the smiles spreading across her young son’s face. “The treatment for cerebral palsy is physical therapy,” she said. “Keeping it interesting and motivating is really important.”
Liam and his mom brought a bag of treats to Dot for her one-year work anniversary, spending some time doing what they do best: playing. The time and gifts also served as a big thank-you from Block and especially from Liam, who walked in and out of the room all by himself.
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Marlene Naanes
Phone: 212-404-5016
Marlene.Naanes@NYULangone.org
