Cricket Gives Comfort: Exploring Epilepsy

New from Mayo Clinic Press, 'Cricket Give Comfort' is part of the Kids’ Helping Paws Academy series and features a facility dog named Cricket who assists a child with epilepsy. This chapter book series explores health topics through the experiences of facility dogs, emphasizing empathy, kindness, and courage. These dogs are trained to support children during medical procedures by boosting morale and encouraging physical activity. The series also includes nonfiction back matter that offers more details about medical topics and facility dog programs at the Mayo Clinic Children's Center. Proceeds from book sales contribute to medical research and education at Mayo Clinic. In this story, Cricket and her handler visit Braden, a nine-year-old boy with epilepsy, on the neurology floor. The book follows Cricket as she aids Braden during a blood draw and other medical tests, demonstrating how therapy dogs can help children navigate the challenges of medical treatments while also educating readers about epilepsy and the role of therapy dogs in medical settings.