Dogs and Children Bond at Best Friends Bash


On September 11, 2012, I gave a lecture to a roomful of medical doctors, including plastic surgeons, oral and maxillofacial surgeons, otorhinolaryngologists, psychologists, nurses and other caretakers of children born with craniofacial defects as part of a lecture series at the Edwin and Fannie Gray Hall Center for Human Appearance. The topic of my lecture was “Functional and Esthetic Considerations of Maxillofacial Reconstruction in Companion Animals.” To conclude the lecture, I suggested that it would be great to bring our craniofacial veterinary patients together with children who are dealing with similar craniofacial conditions. This gathering came together (due to a lot of hard work by Diana Sweeney from CHOP) on July 17, 2013, and was named the “Best Friends Bash.” The interactions between the young CHOP patients and our veterinary patients were nothing less than magical.

“Emma”, a 10-year-old Golden Retriever, had a maxillectomy four years ago to cure an oral tumor. Emma and her pet parents have attended all three “bashes.”

“Emma”, a 10-year-old Golden Retriever, had a maxillectomy four years ago to cure an oral tumor. Emma and her pet parents have attended all three “bashes.”

Pets and people are often affected by the same illnesses. Treatment for those illnesses is often remarkably similar. Craniofacial deformities can be some of the most challenging diseases for a patient to cope with, due to stigmas associated with facial differences. Many of these deformities are congenital in nature, and in humans, multiple surgeries are often necessary to improve function and cosmetics. It is not uncommon for some patients to require over 30 surgeries throughout life if born with severe congenital craniofacial deformities. Therefore, human patients may need to spend much of their time in the hospital for procedures and recheck examinations. These visits can be made much more palatable if there is a four-legged friend awaiting one’s arrival. The bond created is even more special when the dog shares a common ailment with the child.

Dogs have always inspired me with their ability to not shy away from adversity, to not dwell on negative aspects of their lives and to not worry about those things they cannot control (at least as far as we can tell!). In speaking with some of the doctors and patient caretakers at the Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia, it seems children with craniofacial defects are equally inspiring.

Dr. Lewis with Jaci at the third annual Best Friends Bash on July 22, 2015

Dr. Lewis with Jaci at the third annual Best Friends Bash on July 22, 2015

A few years ago, I met a 29-year-old woman named Jaci at the gathering. Jaci was born with Apert syndrome, an inherited autosomal dominant condition. It is caused by mutations in the gene that codes for fibroblast growth factor receptor 2. This gene defect causes craniosynostosis, where some of the bony sutures of the skull close too early. Symptoms include early closure of sutures between bones of the skull, as seen by ridging along sutures; frequent ear infections and hearing loss; fusion or webbing of the second, third, and fourth fingers and toes; prominent or bulging eyes; severe under-development of the mid-face; and limb length abnormalities. Though Jaci is now 32, she often attends gatherings like the “Best Friends Bash” because doctors and caretakers at the Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia have become family to her throughout the years. After multiple surgeries, Jaci has become comfortable with her function and appearance. She feels canine therapy dogs, especially dogs who had craniofacial procedures themselves, “will be great for kids born with Apert syndrome, cleft lip and cleft palate since the kids can see how well the dogs do with their differences.” The Best Friends Bash allows us to catch up with both canine and human friends made during past events.

Last week marked the third annual Best Friends Bash. The magic continues to be palpable and the dogs continue to brighten the room! And with the help of corporate sponsorship, it looks like the Best Friends Bash will go national in the near future. Another example of the healing power of pets!

John Lewis, VMD, FAVD, DAVDC
John Lewis, VMD, FAVD, DAVDC
Dr. John Lewis is the veterinary dentist at NorthStar VETS. He was Assistant Professor of Dentistry and Oral Surgery at the University of Pennsylvania. He graduated from University of Pennsylvania School of Veterinary Medicine in 1997 and spent 5 years in general practice prior to returning for a residency in dentistry and oral surgery. Dr. Lewis became a fellow of the Academy of Veterinary Dentistry (AVD) in 2004 and a diplomate of the American Veterinary Dental College (AVDC) in 2005. At the University of Pennsylvania, Dr. Lewis has served as Associate Director of the Mari Lowe Center for Comparative Oncology, and more recently, as Chief of Surgery. Dr. Lewis’ research interests include oral surgical oncology, maxillofacial fracture repair, maxillofacial reconstruction, new therapies for treatment of feline oral squamous cell carcinoma, and lasers in oral surgery and dentistry. Dr. Lewis is a past President of the American Veterinary Dental Society, and has served as Examination Chair of the AVDC and Credentials Chair of the AVD. Prior to joining NorthStar VETS full-time, Dr. Lewis was the residency director of the world’s first academic residency in Veterinary Dentistry and Oral Surgery at Penn Vet.

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