I'm 15 years old and recently had surgery, which was honestly one of the scariest things I've ever faced. I didn't know what to expect with anesthesia or the whole surgical process, and I was super nervous. My pre-op nurse completely changed that experience for me. She was so kind and patient, and she didn't rush through anything. She took the time to explain everything in a way I could understand, and she kept checking in to make sure I was okay.

What really meant the most was how she noticed my love for dogs. I had been hoping to see one of the Caring Canines before surgery, but my mom (who's a nurse) told me it probably wouldn't happen because the surgeon was ahead of schedule. My nurse didn't give up. She went out of her way to arrange for Evelyn, one of the Caring Canines, to visit me in the recovery area after surgery. I can't even explain how much that meant to me. Seeing Evelyn made me feel so much better and helped me forget how scared I had been. It was like she knew exactly what I needed, even when I didn't know how to ask for it.

Her compassion and thoughtfulness made such a huge impact on me. Because of her, I'm now seriously thinking about going into healthcare when I'm older. I want to help people the way she helped me by being kind, patient, and going the extra mile.

Thank you so much to my amazing nurse. You didn't just take care of me physically, you made me feel safe and seen. I'll never forget what you did for me.