Michaela Ping

Service dogs Kai, left, and Mia were trained at VUMC recently to gain exposure to medical equipment and staff like those they will encounter after completing training. (photo by Donn Jones)

Vanderbilt LifeFlight partners with Retrieving Independence to train service dogs in simulated medical settings

Vanderbilt LifeFlight is partnering with the local nonprofit Retrieving Independence to assist in the training of service dogs in simulated medical settings, the latest of several Vanderbilt University Medical Center partnerships that bring specially trained dogs to Medical Center facilities.