CINCINNATI — Pets can bring joy and comfort to young children. THE Brave Like Me Foundation hopes to bring just that to children who must stay away from home while dealing with complex health issues.

The foundation’s new Family Pet Reunion Center would allow hospitalized children to reconnect with their pets still at home.

John and Mitchelle Otten founded the organization after the death of their son Brayden from a congenital heart defect. When Brayden was stuck in the hospital for months, he got a chance to see his dog. After seeing how much it lifted his spirits, the Ottens were inspired to create Brave Like Me.

John Otten

​“We realized after he passed away that there were a lot of kids in the rest of the country who weren’t having the same experience,” John Otten said. “Cincinnati Children’s Hospital is fortunate to have a pet center, but that represents 1 percent of the total children’s hospital population.”

The foundation offers three programsBrave Friends, Brave Schools and the new Brave Pets. During this experience, children will be able to spend time with their pets, while enjoying the “Magic Window”. Inside the mobile center, children can listen to their favorite songs, see pictures that remind them of home, and video chat with family and friends they may not have the opportunity to see for their stay in hospital.

“You know, having a pet reduces anxiety. It can also reduce depression. It can increase compassion, and you also start to heal better because you’re in a better place mentally and emotionally,” Otten said .

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The Ottens are working to bring the mobile pet reunion center to local children’s hospitals.

Brave Like Me has had an impact on families like the Clarks. Erin and Jim joined the organization after learning that their daughter, Moria, suffered from congenital long QT syndrome. Even though she is not hospitalized, she has received a lot of support.

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“Children facing illness or any type of challenge, for that matter, desperately want a normal life. And I can’t even imagine that you know what it would be like to be in the hospital for a long time and unable to see your pets,” Erin Clark said.

Moria Clark is a Brave Kid and has a chihuahua named Chloe. She said she enjoys the program and her parents say the dog brings her a lot of joy and enthusiasm when facing life’s challenges.

“(Mr. Otten) He tells me how good I am, and no matter how different you are, it’s good to be different,” Moria said. “I think it’s amazing for the kids to see their dogs and cats here because it’s so cool.”

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