Jan. 23, 2025

William, Mayo Clinic's newest facility dog, partners with staff at the Mayo Clinic Center for Safe and Healthy Children and Adolescents to help kids share their stories and heal from trauma.

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The children who come to the Mayo Clinic Center for Safe and Healthy Children and Adolescents could use a friend. They're there because an adult in their life may have hurt them. They're there to tell a hard story.

Duo Dog William doesn't understand any of that. But he understands how to be a friend.

William, a black lab, is a specially trained facility dog and part of the care team at the center. When he lays his head on a child's lap, a calm often descends, making it easier for the child to tell their story.

"Dogs can be emotional companions and offer personalized support," says Nikki Rose.

Especially dogs like William.

"He exudes warmth and love," says Rose, a social worker at the center and William's primary handler. "It's palpable."

Specially trained, specially chosen

The Mayo Clinic Center for Safe and Healthy Children and Adolescents works closely with Olmsted County and other surrounding counties to care for children who have experienced maltreatment, physical or sexual abuse, or have witnessed violence.

"We provide a safe place for children to come and tell their story," says Chris Derauf, M.D., the center's medical director.

In 2024, the center partnered with Duo Dogs, a nonprofit based in St. Louis, Missouri, to add a new member to its team. Accredited by Assistance Dogs International, Duo provides assistance dogs to people with physical and mental challenges, and facility dogs to organizations working with vulnerable populations at no cost to the recipients.

William was raised and trained at the organization's headquarters over two years. After staff there got to know William's personality, they determined he would be a good fit for the Center for Safe and Healthy Children and Adolescents and assigned him to work at Mayo Clinic. William is one of 43 full-time working dogs that Duo Dogs Inc. has certified throughout the U.S.

William helps motivate kids to attend therapy. I've had kids that are excited to come to therapy so that they can see him.

Nikki Rose

"He was specially picked and trained for his role," says Rose, who spent a week of training for herself at Duo Dogs, learning William's cues and how to help him help patients. Two of Rose's colleagues, forensic interviewers Sherry Bush-Seim and Sam Khoshini, are also trained and certified by Duo Dogs to work with William.

"He's available to be with kids during the interview process, therapy and medical visits," Rose says. "He's even gone to court to support a child."

The feedback Rose has received from patients and their families about William has been overwhelmingly positive.

"William helps motivate kids to attend therapy," Rose says. "I've had kids who are excited to come to therapy so that they can see him. He also allows kids to feel less stressed when talking about difficult things, which seems to allow them to be more open and willing to talk. He is a comfort to our patients."

He's a comfort to staff as well.

"I've heard staff say, 'I needed that,'" after spending time with William," Dr. Derauf says. "He helps staff deal with the vicarious trauma of working with difficult cases."

Another member of the family

Being William's primary handler comes with a bonus for Rose: She gets to take him home at the end of the workday.

"When I take off his vest and Mayo ID badge, he's a different dog," says Rose, whose three children and dog, Duke, are some of William’s biggest fans. "He and Duke wrestle and play hard. My kids are always excited to see him. He's a great addition to our family. He brings a lot of happiness to our home."

He also brings a lot of happiness to some of Mayo's most vulnerable patients. Rose is thankful that Mayo Clinic recognizes that.

"I'm grateful that Mayo sees that animal-assisted intervention is another tool to help staff help our patients," she says. "The comfort he provides our patients is invaluable."

Learn more

William is Mayo Clinic's first Duo Dog and third facility dog. He joins Alicia, who works with Amy Fabian, a certified child life specialist at Mayo Clinic Children's, and Wavey, who works with Amy Schei, a nurse manager in the Complex Intervention Unit.