The pediatric health system’s second medical dog, Ina, is made possible by a gift from Medica to the mental health and medical dog programs
MINNEAPOLIS/ST. PAUL — Children and adolescents receiving acute mental health care at Children’s Minnesota have a new four-legged expert on their care team. Medical dog Ina recently joined the team in the pediatric health system’s inpatient mental health and partial hospitalization programs thanks to a three-year, $350,000 gift from Medica, a non-profit community driven health plan headquartered in Minnesota.
Can Do Canines, a non-profit that raises and places assistance dogs, provided Ina free of charge to help patients cope with their diagnosis and work toward their treatment goals.
“Ina will provide comfort and a sense of calm to patients and their loved ones during some of their most challenging moments,” said Krista Majerus, child life program supervisor and medical dog program coordinator at Children’s Minnesota. “We are grateful to Medica for sharing our commitment to improving the mental health of children by providing innovative and compassionate care.”
Three-year-old Ina and her handlers, Leah Fricke and Rose Mason, play a vital role in promoting the emotional, social and physical well-being of patients coping with serious mental health concerns. The support Ina can provide these patients includes:
- Emotional regulation: Offer comfort and companionship to patients, reducing stress and feelings of isolation through physical touch and non-judgmental interactions.
- Physical health: Encourage physical activity through play and exercise, which can help improve mood, reduce symptoms of depression, and promote overall physical health.
- Enhance therapeutic engagement: Assist in group and/or individual therapy sessions by encouraging participation and engagement through play-based and recreational therapy activities.
- Social skill development: Foster positive social interactions among patients and with staff, helping them build trust and develop social skills in a safe and supportive environment.
- Support daily routine practice: The medical dog helps establish and reinforce these routines, promoting consistency and structure in the patients’ lives.
“At Medica, we believe every child deserves to feel safe, supported, and seen—especially during life’s most difficult moments,” said Andrew Marshall, Minnesota Market President for Medica. “We’re honored and proud to bring Ina to Children’s Minnesota, where her gentle presence will bring comfort, spark joy, and support kids on their journey toward healing.”
Ina is the second canine member of the medical dog program at Children’s Minnesota, joining Riggs, who was also trained and provided to Children’s Minnesota by Can Do Canines.
Can Do Canines Executive Director Jeff Johnson said, “We’re thrilled to partner with Children’s Minnesota, where Ina will join Riggs in transforming countless lives. This is only possible to due the dedication from many volunteers and staff members who are involved in raising and training these amazing dogs.”
