Jani and the hospital therapy dog

The June 29 story in the Los Angeles Times "Jani's at the mercy of her mind" generated many e-mails from readers, including one who was upset that Jani Schofield, a 6-year-old diagnosed with schizophrenia, had kicked the hospital therapy dog that was visiting the children's unit at UCLA's Resnick Neuropsychiatric Hospital.

I received this e-mail from the dog's handler, Ellen Morrow of Tarzana, this week, and am sharing it with her permission.

Dear Shari,
 
Charley, my big, lovable golden doodle, and I have been visiting Jani at UCLA for the past several months. In fact we saw her this morning. In your very moving article, you mentioned a dog that Jani had kicked. That would be Charley. But there is much more to the story, a bit of positive, that I wanted to share with you in the hopes that it will bring a little comfort to her family.
 
When we arrived for our following visit, Jani immediately came over, apologized and hugged Charley. Two weeks later, she walked over to tell me that she loved Charley and had a present for him. She gave him a picture of a dog that she had taken from a coloring book. She said that she was sorry she hadn't had time to fill it in, but she did sign it "love, Jani."
 
Ever since the incident she has been very good with him, even exhibiting more patience when she has to wait her turn to pet him or to help him do a trick. Today when I forgot to bring out Charley's brush, Jani was the one who reminded me. She then brushed him gently.
 
I know that these are brief, isolated moments in a difficult situation. Yet maybe this bit of positive can offer some consolation.
 
Thank you for all you're doing to try to help.
 
Best regards,
Ellen Morrow (& Charley)
 
In another e-mail, Morrow went on to tell me that Charley is 85 pounds and difficult to hurt. "Charley is so mellow and was barely aware that he had been kicked." But, of course, Morrow's message is testimony to the loving heart of a young child dealing with an illness no one should ever experience. When I forwarded the e-mail to Michael and Susan Schofield, Jani's parents, they responded that the letter brought them solace on what had been a difficult day. Jani is still hospitalized at UCLA.

-- Shari Roan

Photo: Jani with a toy. Credit: Lawrence K. Ho / Los Angeles Times

Comments

[Martin Weiss]

I pray that Yeshua Ha Mashiach (Jesus the Messiah- Isaiah 53) would heal Jani completely, and that both she and her parents would come to know Him as their Messiah!

[Susan]

Sadly, there are problems which have no solutions. Children are born with irreparable physical damage or malformations. Children develop incurable cancers or other fatal diseases for which little or nothing can be done. And this child is severely mentally ill.

We know very little, in the end, about mental illness. We certainly can't do much about psychosis in most cases. There probably isn't much we or anyone else can do for Jani.

At this point the welfare of Jani's parents and her little brother become of prime importance. I have a mentally ill son, not as severely ill as Jani, but the two apartments solution struck me as doomed from square one, just because it reminded me of so many weird plans we tried to deal with something that in the end no one can deal with.

Jani should remain in institutional care of some sort for the rest of her life. Her family should certainly make every effort to remain in contact with her, but attempting to care for her themselves will only result in psychic and physical ruin for the rest of the family, while Jani herself will not be helped outside an institution.

[Scott B]

Seriously, who is this clown complaining about the dog kicking story? Obviously no one wants a dog to get hurt, but it is a 6-year old with a tragic mental disease -- what does this person want? Perfect behavior at all times? Even a child without a disease will make mistakes -- let's not get crazy and start demanding them to be publicly tarred and feathered. Geez!

[JLP]

Thank you Ellen, for what you do for those in hospital: especially a little girl whose demons are beyond. Your therapy visits are obviously very important and I admire your dedication. Please give Charley a huge hug!

[Jonathan G.]

Really? After reading that story someone bothered to be "upset that Jani Schofield... had kicked the hospital therapy dog?"

Pathetic. This little girl is in mental hell and someone is upset about a dog. Charlie does great work but I'm sure he'll live and survive Jani's little outbursts.

Thank you Ellen Morrow & Charlie!! You do wonderful work.

[Mary]

It shows how violent, unpredictable and dangerous this child is!!! She should have been disciplined for this act. She's spoiled along with being mentally ill.
For society's sake she should be institutionalized for her entire life. She'll only get larger and stronger and what will people do with her when she goes beyond the kicking stage?

[Lori]

This is such a tragically sad story for the entire family. That they cannot get ANY help just speaks to the atrocious state of our health care system. These two people I am sure, have worked their entire lives, and now while they are in such dire straits can get no assistance. Why does our government continue to dole out care to unfit, non-citizens who are not in need, but ignore our own. This is so awful. My aunt told me of someone she knew who's parents came from Egypt to get surgery in the MediCal, Medicare system so they would not have to pay. Reprehensible that this goes on in the US. I can only pray for them and hope their child is safe. They are wonderful, caring parents and I hope for the best for their tragic situation.

[Bernadette Kimemia]

I cannot preend to imagine how difficult it must be for Janis parents to watch her helplessly each day. I am filled with tears and lots of emotions when i read about Janis story, when i look at her face and see a beauiful little girl, i want to question God but i also know that HE is merciful and has a purpose for everything in life. He has a plan and in due season HE will show us that which we cannot fathom. I want to encourage the parents of Jani and tell them that they will be in my prayers and that i hope all works ou great for jani...

lots of love!!