After nearly ten years of dedicated service, Millie, a golden retriever facility dog at Peyton Manning Children's Hospital at Ascension St. Vincent, is officially hanging up her hospital vest for a quiet life as a cherished pet.
Since joining the hospital, Millie has been a constant presence in pediatric care, helping young patients navigate physical challenges, regain mobility, and find moments of joy during hospital stays.
Millie was trained by the Zionsville-based Indiana Canine Assistant Network (ICAN) to execute more than 60 specific tasks. Working directly alongside her handler, Ginnie Pellissier—a speech-language pathologist at Ascension St. Vincent—Millie was integrated directly into physical, occupational, and speech therapy sessions.
Her duties were as diverse as the needs of her young patients:
- Physical & Occupational Support: Walking side-by-side with children across balance beams to encourage balance, posture, and motor coordination.
- Speech Development: Tapping specific cards or prompt boards to help non-verbal or speech-recovering patients practice communication.
- Emotional Comfort: Providing calm, non-judgmental companionship during complex rehabilitation milestones.
Millie won't be traveling far for retirement—she will spend her golden years living at home full-time with her long-time handler, Pellissier.
