Boston Children's Hospital comforting patients through HUG-raiser

BOSTON — A trip to the hospital can be scary, espeically if you are a child, but Boston Children's Hospital is changing that one hug at a time.

Hospital leaders gave 450 stuffed animals to all the inpatients as part of their "Hug-Raiser".

Diane Langguth has been at Boston Children's for 100 days and her mom says the small gesture makes a big difference.

"This is what's amazing. This is what gets these kids through. The harder moments, she can hug them at night. Diane absolutely loves dogs," said Diane's mom.

So does little Cheyenne Stockwood. She took her toy and then wanted to give one to everyone else, including our Boston 25 News photojournalist.

It was hard to tell who appreciated this more, Cheyenne or her mother.

"To have this opportunity to have someone hand you a doggie and have that smile on your face, especially for her, just brightens the day," said Cheyenne's mom.

Hospital leaders want to make the hospital stay a little less frightening, even for the bravest of patients, or parents.

"Just seeing the smile on the child's face, and quite honestly, the relief on the parent's face when they are going through a traumatic time and dealing with a sick child. Just to know that a smile is possible, a giggle, a little bit of warmth makes all the difference in the world."

For Diane, who just had a liver transplant, the plush puppy is just what the doctor ordered.

"Getting a little puppy to hug even though she is not allowed to touch them at this point, is great timing. It's really beautiful."

The hospital's hug-raiser continues until Friday and they would love to be able to give even more children a hug. To donate, click here.

Cox Media Group