Meet Rocket 🐶

2020 has no doubt been an interesting year for everyone. As a long time nonprofit organization we have supported, the M Health Fairview University of Minnesota Masonic Children’s Hospital has been an incredible resource for Love Your melon as we navigated through the pandemic and began producing PPE for our customers and for frontline healthcare workers. They have been an incredible partner over the years and we have been proud to support such a great organization. 

In late 2019, Love Your Melon gifted M Health $100,000 for use towards their incredible 2020 programs supporting research to accelerate cures and prevention for Ewing Sarcoma as well as fund the new Therapy Dog Program, featuring Rocket, who will be at the hospital full-time delivering smiles and comfort to children and their families battling cancer. 

With many limitations this year on visitors, events, and activities in hospitals due to the pandemic, Rocket’s presence has been truly uplifting and an incredible support system for children and families staying in the hospital. 

Anna Dressel, the Child Life Coordinator and owner of Rocket reflects on the Facility Dog Program and its impact on children and families undergoing treatment at the M Health Fairview Masonic Children’s Hospital: 

“Thank you so much for your contribution to our new Facility Dog Program! With it being fully philanthropically supported, we are grateful for our community partners to help us be able to serve our patients and families with this added layer of support.

It has been an interesting year for everyone, and to start a new program during such an unknown time has been difficult. Seeing one interaction with Rocket makes it all worth it. We knew the power a facility dog could have. Combining the impact of animal assisted therapy with the clinical role of a child life specialist, we have been able to help ease pain when there are no other medication options, watch a child forget about their reduced mobility for a moment, comfort staff members and lift spirits in difficult moments.

Your contribution has provided healing moments and to say it is appreciated is an understatement.” 

- Anna Dressel, Child Life Coordinator - Facility Dog Program

We are so grateful for the nonprofit organizations we support and the direct impact they are making for children battling cancer, whether it is through research, creating therapeutic experiences like these moments with Rocket, or family support. We are proud to be partnered with such incredible leaders in the industry who are leading the fight against pediatric cancer. 

Thank you for your support and joining the story.