By CATHARINE SCHAIDLE For Journal Star

There are better places to be on Christmas Day than in a hospital.

But Morgan Conklin, 16, of Normal, who was transferred from BroMenn Medical Center because of unusual bacteria in her blood, hugged dogs and made the best of her situation.

That’s right, dogs.

There are 31 therapy dogs in the Paws 4 Healing program whose owners devote time to visit patients at the Children’s Hospital of Illinois on a volunteer basis. Christmas morning was the first time the dogs have been able to visit pediatric patients in their rooms because they are private rooms.

On Saturday, several members of the Paws 4 Healing group were delighted to bring their pets into the hospital to bring some cheer to the patients.

Therapy dog Phoenix moved around in a special dog stroller because she has a heart murmur and cannot exercise too much.

“Oh, poor baby,” Conklin cooed as another blanket was brought so Phoenix could sit on her bed.

The dogs – ranging from Gusto, a golden retriever, to Ashley, a Sheltie, and Tonks, a Rhodesian ridgeback – were dressed for the occasion sporting antler ears, Christmas bells and holiday vests.

Research has shown that trained animals such as these provide motivational, educational and recreational interactions that enhance people’s quality of life.

“I know my kids (patients) love it and all the kids have fun when they bring these dogs in to see them,” said Dr. Sean Hill.

Dressed as a Christmas tree with presents attached to the feet of her costume, Dawn Tucker’s expression was difficult to see as 13-month-old Emma hesitantly petted a dog at Children’s Hospital of Illinois.

As Emma became more playful with Auggie Doggie, a French poodle, Tucker gave a broad grin.

Each reaction between patient and therapy dog is emotional for the Germantown Hills woman.

“My late husband was a cancer patient and before he died he had been unresponsive for three days,” Tucker explained. “Then Shelly (Cunningham) and a couple of other friends brought our dogs, whom he loved, to see him. Joe actually moved his hands and touched the dogs, and the dogs jumped onto his bed and licked his face.”

Cunningham, a registered nurse in surgery at OSF Saint Francis Medical Center, said it was a defining moment. “It was overwhelming, we just broke down and cried.”

Having witnessed the impact the dogs had on a patient in his final hours, Cunningham approached the hospital’s administration. After much research and leg work, she now is coordinator of the approximately two-year-old animal assisted therapy program at the hospital.

Twelve-year-old Jack, of Sheffied, was glued to his computer until one of the dogs came into his room and offered him a paw.

He took it and rubbed his thumb gently back and forth as the dog looked at him. They must have been communicating because Jack said he’d like to take the dog home.