Welcome, Engle, to the team of compassionate caregivers at Baylor Scott & White All Saints Medical Center – Fort Worth. The seventh facility dog within the Baylor Scott & White Health system, Engle is the first for the Fort Worth hospital.
In German, Engle means angel. It seems fitting, as Engle, the medical center’s “angel,” brings comfort and calm. She helps motivate patients, aids pain management and is a welcome distraction for patients, visitors and team members.
Made possible because of generous support of donors to the Baylor Scott & White All Saints Health Foundation, the new facility dog program is a unique form of non-medical support that can complement traditional medical treatments. According to a study in the National Library of Medicine, therapy dogs can provide individuals with increased control over their health and environment, enabling them to make healthier choices.
Engle, who turned two years-old in January and is trained in more than 40 commands, was bred and raised by Canine Companions, Inc.
Canine Companions is a non-profit organization that trains and provides service dogs to adults, children and veterans with disabilities and facility dogs to health care, criminal justice and educational settings at no cost.
Prior to being placed at Baylor Scott & White – Fort Worth, Engle participated in an intensive six-month training program located on the campus of Baylor Scott & White Health — Kinkeade Campus in Irving. Baylor Scott & White opened the Irving facility in November 2015 as the first assistance dog training center campus connected to a health care system.
Baylor Scott & White – Fort Worth began the application process with Canine Companions in mid-2022. During that same time, the Foundation began fundraising for a full-time handler.
Kathryn Omarkhail, a behavioral health clinician with 20 years’ experience working at Baylor Scott & White – Fort Worth, was selected as Engle’s primary handler. The Foundation made it possible to launch this program and create her new role as the dog facilitator—supporting the location’s continuum of care. Angie Fraticelli, director of oncology services, serves as secondary handler and provides respite and care for Engle when Omarkhail is not available.
“Kathryn is a dedicated employee and incorporates Engle into her role as a clinician, and she also has the skills to see a variety of patients,” Fraticelli said.
With her handlers, Engle sees patients for up to six hours a day, Monday through Friday. Whether offering a comforting paw during tough times, spreading smiles with her playful antics like playing cards, or simply being a warm presence to brighten someone’s day, Engle is ready to lend a helping paw wherever it’s needed.
The team visits patients with hospital consult orders and rounds on the infusion clinic. They also spend time mingling with visitors in the ICU and day surgery waiting areas. Extra-special attention is showered on oncology and transplant patients as they are enduring long hospital stays.
After work and on the weekends, Engle spends her time running around and playing catch at Omarkhail’s home with her two four-legged friends. But when weekday mornings come, and the vest is put on, Engle knows it’s time for work.
Looking ahead, Fraticelli and Omarkhail hope to expand Engle’s services to the entire hospital. “We are first focused on just a small population, like the oncology and transplant patients, but we certainly want to expand to more comprehensive medical and surgical patients,” she said. “You can imagine the impact Engle would have.”
