‘Tis the month before Christmas and Williamson County Animal Center (WCAC) is hoping to stir up as many animals as possible, of the stuffed variety that is. Through December 12, the shelter is collecting stuffed animals for patients of Monroe Carell Jr. Children’s Hospital Vanderbilt at Williamson Medical Center. For safety of the children, the hospital will only accept new stuffed animals and prefer small or medium sizes.
Stuffed animals reduce anxiety and provide distraction during uncomfortable procedures according to Donna DeJaynes, Williamson Health Foundation’s Philanthropy Manager. “The Foundation accepts donations from the community and gives them to our Child Life Specialist who helps children and their families cope with stress,” said DeJaynes. “The specialist uses education, play and emotional support to focus on a child’s psychosocial well-being and developmental needs during hospitalization and treatment.”
Animal center staff delivered several large boxes filled with stuffed animals following last year’s inaugural collection and are hoping “Dasher’s Delivery” will spread even more joy this year. Drop off sites are located inside the Adoption entrance when open to the public as well as WCAC’s front porch for after hours.
Orchid is a five-year-old independent gal who enjoys lounging beside her humans, not on their lap. When she wants affection, she enjoys head scratches, chin rubs, and being brushed. Orchid has lived with dogs and done well with other cats in our free-roaming rooms. She enjoyed an indoor/outdoor lifestyle the past and will likely appreciate the same opportunity with her new family. Vist WCAC to meet Orchid and other adoptable pets!
Link to video of Orchid: https://youtu.be/85PyKPqlud8?si=AEDYAjA3GWzVRd1d
WCAC is open to the public: Monday through Friday, 10:00 a.m. until 6:00 p.m.; Saturday 11:00 a.m. until 3:00 p.m.; and closed Sundays. Hours may vary due to holidays. The animal center is located at 1006 Grigsby Hayes Court in Franklin.
ABOUT WILLIAMSON HEALTH | Williamson Health is a regional healthcare system based in Williamson County, Tennessee, with more than 2,400 employees across more than 30 locations and more than 900 physicians and advanced care practitioners offering exceptional healthcare across 60-plus specialties and subspecialties close to home. The flagship facility, Williamson Medical Center, which opened its Boyer-Bryan West Tower in 2024, offers extensive women’s services, state-of-the-art cardiology services, advanced surgical technologies, an award-winning obstetrics and NICU, leading- edge orthopaedics, outpatient imaging services, and distinct comprehensive emergency and inpatient services for both adult and pediatric patients. Other Williamson Health service providers include the Bone and Joint Institute of Tennessee, The Turner-Dugas Breast Health Center, Monroe Carell Jr. Children’s Hospital Vanderbilt at Williamson Medical Center, Williamson Health physician practices that are strategically located throughout the community, countywide Emergency Medical Services that include 18 rapid response units, Williamson Health Foundation, and multiple joint venture Vanderbilt Health and Williamson Medical Center Walk-In Clinics in Williamson County. Learn more about our many specialized services at WilliamsonHealth.org.
ABOUT WILLIAMSON HEALTH FOUNDATION | The Williamson Health Foundation, Inc., serves as the charitable and development arm that supports Williamson Medical Center, the Monroe Carell Jr. Children’s Hospital Vanderbilt at Williamson Medical Center and Bone and Joint Institute of Tennessee in providing best-in-class healthcare services to the families of our community. The Foundation oversees capital projects and health outreach programs, seeking charitable gifts of all types to provide ways to continuously improve the quality of patient care. To learn more about the Williamson Health Foundation, visit williamsonhealth.org/williamson-health-foundation
