For almost a decade Eileen Gallagher has been proving the power of a hug, in fact, she’s almost a professional.
Shortly after Gallagher partially retired in 2011, she took on a volunteer role at the Alberta Children’s Hospital in Calgary. Her role is to cuddle infants and children. This could be newborns or toddlers who are going through medical issues.
“We are known, believe it or not, as ‘professional baby cuddlers,’” she tells the Mail. “There is no doubt there is any better job in the world. I shouldn’t say job because it’s a volunteer position, but it is the best ever.”
She said a lot of the little patients in the hospital are not even from Calgary.
They are from out of town, and it is not always the easiest thing for their parents or the family to be there with them and give them attention, especially the infants,” said Gallagher.
She said mostly she works with infants and some preemies. On her unit, she has children often with digestive issues or heart issues, or cleft palates. Kids over the age of 4 typically are more apt to entertain themselves with electronics, and may not always want to be social.
“They need that interaction. And they love having some in their room. Some of them are quite vociferous about it if there isn’t anyone. I have seen nurses standing in the doorway because the little one sensed when she was not there,” she said.
She learned about the position because her daughter works at the Children’s Hospital and one day mentioned they were getting short on cuddlers.
“I said I have always wanted to do that. So I had my interview and they explained everything that was needed,” she said.
This included a background check and criminal record checks as well as being up to date on vaccinations.
She goes once a week for about a four-hour shift, and she says it is the best day of her week.
Often cuddlers can get attached to the kids, especially with some who are there for the long term. Sometimes they also get to meet the parents.
“They are always so grateful because they feel better knowing their baby is being cuddled anyway, even if they can’t be there,” she said
After almost 10 years, she has no plans to stop.
“That will be the last thing that goes,” she laughs.
