TORONTO- Tucked away in the rolling hills of Milton, there’s a home away from home for sick kids that’s filled with music, laughter, pets and a whole lot of love.
“The Darling Home for Kids provides respite, palliative and residential care for children who are medically fragile and technology dependent,” said Kristin Horrell, executive director of the Darling Home for Kids. “These are children that are living at home with their moms and dads and their families desperately need a break.”
Highly qualified nurses and support staff provide enriching experiences that not only help children with complex needs reach their full potential but have some fun too.
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Sommer Johnstone, a music therapist, visits the children twice a month to engage them in music and musical activities.
“We try to target goals like social interaction, gross and fine motor movement, cognitive stimulation and using music as a motivator,” said Johnstone.
The children aren’t the only ones learning from the experience, Johnstone has learned a valuable lesson from the kids.
“How simple things can really invoke joy in children. Just them being able to engage, to interact, to indicated yes or no if they want to do something. Each time you see that, it reinforces your understanding of how all of these children are children first.”
Professional dog trainer Melissa Millett and her daughter Sienna have been volunteering their time with the pet therapy program, where their therapy dogs Bella and Sophia offer companionship and fun.
For some families, the Darling Home isn’t just an option, but a necessity.
“The programs and services we provide at the Darling Home are vital to a families health and well being, to a mom’s ability to cope and a dad’s ability to cope. We become an extension of their family,” said Horrell.
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