Our dog-loving son died of cancer, now we want other sick kids to see their pets in hospital, parents say

SICK children will be able to see their pets while they are in treatment following a two-year campaign by the parents of a dog-loving child who died of cancer.

Construction begins today on cribs kept free at the Irish Children’s Institute in memory of 15 year old Cian Neary.

3

3

He passed away in September 2019 of lymphoma, after treatment at CHI at Crumlin, formerly known as the Children’s Hospital of Our Lady.

Now, ‘Cian’s Kennels’, a charity founded by Evelyn and Enda Neary in March 2020 has led to the start of phase one of an ambitious scheme to bring about pet closer to sick children and their families.

Work began this morning to erect the 100,000 euro kennels specially designed for pets, complete with family seating areas, indoor and outdoor areas for pets and equipment. Bathroom/toilet facilities allow children at the hospital to see their beloved pets on the premises in a controlled situation.

During this first phase, pets will board at the nearby DSPCA pet hotel and will be driven back and forth by Cian’s Kennels to the hospital to visit sick children and their families by appointment.

‘LOVE OF OBJECTS’

Mother Evelyn said: “Our beloved 15-year-old son Cian loves life in general – his love of sport, fashion, food and socializing is evident to everyone who knows him. But his greatest love is animals, of all shapes and sizes. .

“Our world fell apart when Cian was diagnosed with Liver T-cell Lymphoma in September 2018 and while in the hospital in the early days of his diagnosis we asked him if there was anything that we can help him make him feel better.

“We knew the answer, and a few weeks later Cooper, a gorgeous golden Labrador puppy joined our other dog and cat as part of our animal family.”

Cian visited Cooper most days, and as the hospital continued his treatment until the last week of his life, the jovial Killashee schoolboy still enjoyed many occasions and outings in Dublin, knowing Cooper was safe nearby. .

It was the positive impact of closeness that eventually led to the founding of Cian’s Kennels following the death of the jovial Longford schoolboy more than two years ago.

Enda, Cian’s father, said: “For us as a family, these outings and the time Cian spent with Cooper became the foundation of lasting, precious memories of Cian’s sad loss of life. Go battle for life in the early hours of September 23, 2019.

“We’ve experienced firsthand the joy Cooper brought to Cian and us during our most difficult days.”

KENNELS’ SN YES

Cian’s family and the Cian’s Kennels team now want to spread the message of awareness to other parents and children around the country.

Evelyn said: “We want to say to every child who is coming to the hospital in Crumlin that, right now, you can take advantage of most of our services and we hope that the cribs will work. mid/late February 2022, so spread the word.

“Our plan with Cian’s Kennels is to provide health care facilities near children’s hospitals that provide this service in a structured, safe, practical, free way for families and now Now, thanks to the efforts of so many people, we are close to achieving success. “

The new service will include a full veterinary checkup including vaccinations for visiting pets before they arrive at the hospital.

Transportation from home to and from the crib will also be covered. More information about all Cian’s Kennels services available on the website –www.cianskennels.ie.

Families interested in using the service can contact the team by emailing info@cianskennels.ie or calling 085 1488660.

3