On a gorgeous day at the beach in Waimanalo. A frisky 2- year-old golden retriever named Tucker starts every day with a little surfing, a run on the beach, even time to make a new friend. If you're thinking this is one lucky dog, you're right! But the morning romp is Tuckers treat, before he and his handler start a full day of work that begins in the Kapiolani Medical Center garage.

When he puts his coat on he knows he's going to work", says his caregiver Ellie Taft Reinehold, "and his demeanor really becomes professional."

Reinehold is head of the Pediatric Intensive Care Unit and Tucker is their newest star. He's a therapy dog hand-picked by Hawaii Canines For Independence. Tucker was chosen for his intelligence, his ability to stay calm...and his loving nature. After a year of intense training, he joined the staff, helping heal seriously ill children at Kapiolani.

Tucker has an instant affect on 11-year-old Clinton a day after brain surgery.

"When tucker is playing with a child really the walls of the hospital melt away. and they just get to be a child with a dog.", says Reinehold.

But Tucker's most amazing quality is how he can synchronize with a child. Golden retrievers already have an innate ability to sense emotion. Tucker's training has taught him to wait and watch before each visit until he's sure of the right way to approach the bed.

"He'll match the children." adds Reinehold "So if they're sad and they're stressed he will match that and lay very calm and they can just pet him. For the children feeling better and more active he will match that and be more play and more active."

Mose is one of Tuckers greatest success stories. He's a little boy who came to Kapiolani Medical Center from Samoa and was so sick they weren't sure if he was going to make it. After heart surgery, Mose wasn't responding to therapy, in fact he wouldn't talk or respond at all, until the day Tucker paid him a visit.

"And tucker leaned over and gave mosey a great big kiss with his slobbery tongue and mosey just dissolved into laughter."

They are best friends now and Mose is almost well enough to go back home.

Tucker's next visit takes him down the hall to see Ciara, a 9-year-old who gets thru weekly chemotherapy treatments by looking forward to visits from her furry best friend.

When we ask how Tucker makes her feel? Ciara responds, "it's just nice to see him come around."

Tuckers visits aren't just for fun. He knows 90 commands

"He's able to pull a child or help a child get thru a doorway", says Reinehold, "he can open doors, he can hit the handicap button he can open the refrigerator door and get something out. "

And Reinehold has found ways to incorporate physical therapy into the fun. Sure there's lots of pampering for Tucker along the way....but all in all it's an exhausting day for a creature skilled at caring for little kids....a young dog...... who everyday...... teaches us humans a few new tricks about the power of unconditional love.

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