T
his incredibly lifelike puppet is Toby the Puppy. Toby is the
creation of Liz Pfeiffer, RN, an OR circulator and puppeteer
extraordinaire who helps put our pediatric ENT patients at
ease by putting on a puppet show for them. We all
know the challenge of helping children overcome
their fear of the scary, sterile OR environment
and making them feel comfortable and safe. Our
furry friend does this and more. Liz really
makes Toby come to life with
movements, expressions and
conversation. She treats him
like he's real dog. She asks
kids if they want to meet
her puppy, not her puppet.
Ideas Work
P r a c t i c a l p e a r l s f r o m y o u r c o l l e a g u e s
That
PUPPET SHOW
Toby the Puppy Greets Pediatric Patients
• DOGGY DISTRACTION Toby the Puppy holds on tight to Liz Pfeiffer, RN,
an OR circulator at Emerald Coast Surgery Center who brings the puppet
to life for pediatric patients.
Anne Kachelhoffer, RN
Emerald Coast Surgery Center
Fort Walton Beach, Fla.
akachelhoffer@
white-wilson.com
Sharon
Wilcoxen,
BSN,
LHRM
1 2 • O U T PA T I E N T S U R G E R Y M A G A Z I N E • D E C E M B E R 2 0 1 8
