Next OnQ, we take you inside the smallest hospital in the nation to meet a very special group of local volunteers.

See how Pittsburgh's baby holders are changing the lives of infants who desperately need to be held.

Also tonight, a golden retriever yellow lab mix that is helpin grieving families begin to heal.

And we'll take you inside the new Lucky Strike lane for a look at upscale bowling.

It's coming up next.

So stay connected.

Welcome to OnQ magazine, I'm Stacy Smith.

You may not have realized this, but the smallest hospital in the country is right here in Pittsburgh.

It is called the Children's Home of Pittsburgh, and it is staffed by doctors and nurses and a group of very special volunteers.

Tonight on cue, contributor Len Sawyer reports on how the caring arms of these volunteers are makin a difference in very tiny lives.

It is th smallest hospital in the nation, and we're in 11 bed pediatric specialty Hospital, an independently owned and operated facility.

They call us Little Switzerland because everybody in the community really comes together in this facility.

And there's something else about the children's town of Pittsburgh, its unique services.

We have an adoption program.

We have transitional infant care, hospital and child's Way, which is a daycar for medically fragile children.

Services you won't find at many other hospitals.

The transitional infant care program, for example, offers subacute care for premature and high risk infants.

Pamela Schanwald is the CEO of the children's home Subacute Care is when, a child or an infant reaches a level of medical stability where they don't require intensive care, then they can be transferred over to our facility.

What condition are these babies in when they come through your hospital?

Infants are coming to us on ventilators, home ventilator equipment.

Generally.

They might have a tracheostomy.

They might be waiting fo surgery so that during the time that they're waiting to have a second surgery, they can come to us.

We care for, children who might need blood transfusions so that we are providing acute care only in a less intensive setting, a setting that also promotes a sense of calmness and stability.

It is very quiet, and that is our goal and cheerful to do everything, in fact, is geared to make the hospital peaceful and serene, especially in the nursery.

From the use of natural lighting and soft, soothing music to personalized cribs.

It's all designe to imitate the comforts of home, and it's the best job in the world, the best job in the world sweetie.

And what seems like the easiest job here is actually one of the most important.

The simple act of holding a baby when family members aren' available to hold their infants.

Trusted volunteers are put into service.

Janet Laughlin is a specialist in infant development at the Children's Home.

We have volunteers that we call baby holders and that's their job.

They come in and they hold babies.

They don't diaper, they don't feed, they don't stand up, they don't do anything but come in and hold babies.

And it's just such a nice thing to have for our unit, the volunteers.

Why is it important?

Well, baby, the hospital wants to be held to.

But when the nurses are taking care of a number of other babies, they can't always get to that baby.

So the baby's sleeping.

Okay?

They're sleeping, but if they're awake, it'd be nice to be abl to pick them up and hold them.

Baby holder volunteers come from all walks of life.

They're young and old.

Some work, others don't.

And there's no shortage of volunteers or the people who want to join their ranks.

I was on the waiting list for a year and just became a baby holder last October, 2004.

Why did you want to do it?

I think many reasons.

First of all, I have a profound love for children.

And I just thought it was a great way to volunteer my time to help children and also volunteer in the near the community where I live.

I was a nurse, s the last 20 years of my career, I was taking care of people with Parkinson's disease.

And when I decided to retire, I thought, won't it be nice to take care of babies for a little bit?

But not wanting to work.

And it just turned ou to be the perfect thing for me, I love it.

What effect does the baby holder have on the baby?

Sometimes we see the baby just kind of like cuddling up into their arms.

Sometimes the babies wake up because they're like, oh, who's holding me?

And so we can tell the baby holder, you know what?

He loves it when you talk to him or sing to him or hum, read him a story.

Read her a story and you can see them starting to engage with them.

The baby holder.

You can see it in their eyes.

The baby holder will get face to face with them.

And you'll just see that nice eye gaze, that nice healthy eye gaze.

Starting called over here and next thing you know, I'm baby holding.

Yeah, you're smiling too, right?

Father Greg Chovanec is a priest who's dedicated eight years of his life to the program.

He drives in every week from Wheeling, West Virginia, just to hold babies.

You obviously have a wonderful effect on him.

It's something I discovered.

Well, I guess when I was early on, him being a priesthood, I sort of did have a calming effect with kids.

I felt it was a gift they should use.

So, you know, you make time for what's important, right?

It's okay.

It's okay to raise children.

In terms of the volunteers.

Father Gre has been absolutely incredible.

Just from, baby holding.

He doesn't just do that.

He's also giving advice and support, and, I appreciate his feedback.

So it's been wonderful to to see Father Greg when he comes in every time the baby hold.

And they smell so good to thank you.

Thank you.

Thank you, sweet angel.

But it's not just the babies who benefit from being held.

Volunteers get a lot out of it, too.

I get a very strong feeling of contentment, knowing that I'm holding babies and comforting them and aiding in their development process.

And I also get a very wonderful feeling for communicating with them, looking into their eyes when they're awake and and singing to them.

I feel, relaxed.

And I also feel very much needed.

I'd like my doctor to get my blood pressure.

You know, I would be absolutely perfect if it just comes down and just puts life in focus.

How simple everything really is.

We tend to complicated, but.

Look at him there.

What a miracle.

You feel like you're doing something good for society.

But in reality, it's doin something good for me, I think.

What do they tell you?

They get out of the program.

I don't thin they have to tell me anything.

Because when they get off the elevator on the first floor after they've been holding a baby, generally they have a smile from ear to ear, and sometimes it's jus a simple smile that says it all.

I love it.

I just love it.

Lord, how could you not love that precious little thing and sit her and relax with them, you know?

Yeah.

You like it too, I feel like I made a positive contribution to some family's life, hopefully.

And by helping them when they couldn't be here with their children.

What do you get out of this job?

Wow.

Knowing that we're helping families and making a difference in an infant's life and in the family's life through all of the programs that we deliver.

It is my passio to be part of the organization and to promote the missio and the vision and what we do, and be an advocate for families who don't otherwise have a voice.

The babies are irresistible, aren't they?

The Baby Volunteer program is not only a successful program, it's a very popular one.

The hospital currently has close to 50 active volunteers.

And Stacy, there are 70 people on the waiting list to become baby holders.

I don't know why I have this feeling for a lot of people who just saw this.

They want to call up the children's home.

Also, sign me up.

Sign me up for this.

But what does it take to become a volunteer for what they do have?

They do have certain requirements, of course, and they're probably pretty obvious.

And what you can judge by this.

They're on the WQED website at wqed.org.

And you just click on the OnQ lo on the first page.

But there are basic requirements.

Volunteers must be at leas 18 years of age in good health, willing to have a state police background check and you'll also need a TB test.

All right.

Also, they're talking about expanding the home.

Yes.

They're actually building a new facility.

It's in the friendship area along Pen Avenue.

Construction is already underway.

It's a $20 million project that will double their space.

So they'll be able to take in more babies.

How long is a typical baby there, or is there a typical time?

I don't know that there really are typical lengths of time because they could be there a few days, a few months, a few weeks, or even.

I don't know, there was one little girl who was there quite a long time, several months.

And you have to remember tha these babies are on ventilators and and all sorts of specialized equipment, and they teach them how to use it.

Pretty tough not to become attached is a great story.

Thank you.

Thanks.

Still to come, a trip to Lucky Strike Lanes, the brand new upscale bowling alley at the Pittsburgh Mills shopping complex.

And we'll also show you how this golden retriever and a yellow retriever and yellow lab mix we'll call it, is helpin grieving families begin to heal.

That's still to come.

Coming up.

You're watching OnQ magazin because these foundations care enough about local programing to help pay for it.

The Howard Heinz Endowment, th Richard Kin Mellon Foundation, the McCune Foundation, the Pittsburgh Foundation, the Clinton Foundation, the Grable Foundation, and these corporations also support OnQ.

Kids who are ready for school are ready for life.

PNC Grow Up Great is helping families with great tips and resources.

More information is available at any branch or online.

Andy was outside playing.

He started coughing.

The inhaler didn't work.

He was gasping for breath.

I called children's and I told him, get ready.

My son is having a severe asthma attack.

We didn't hesitate.

I had enough worries.

Thankfully where to take him wasn't one of supporting the region's health care systems.

Ensures that the best options are always available.

A helping hand in the places we call home.

Highmark Blue Cross Blue Shield and we couldn't do it without you.

The members of WQED.

Losing a loved one is always difficult, and for many people just getting through the funeral can be very stressfu under the best of circumstances.

Family and friend are able to provide some support and sometimes additional help can be found in unexpected places.

On cue, Carol has the story of a funeral home in Ellwood City in Beaver County, where an unusual counselor offers unconditional kindness to help cope with loss.

Aragorn sit, good boy, visit.

Good boy.

This is his visit.

Command.

Visit.

That's a dog command.

You probably haven't heard before.

Visit.

Stay, boy.

But visit is actually what Aragorn is doing today at a funeral home in Ellwood City.

He's a golden retriever an yellow lab mix and a lot more.

He's actually what they call a facility do that we use for grief therapy.

He has this knack.

He can sense when people need him.

And, he gives that unconditional love.

And a lot of times it gets through to families where their own family members can't.

Where he'll come here gives him such a calming effect and helps them through their grief.

Aragorn, when you're going outside.

This is.

He goes to my right side when I tell him side.

Pam Turner is Aragorns handler.

She's also a former social worker and the wife of funeral home owner Ken Turner.

How did you get this idea?

I went to a funeral director convention about three, four years ago and I saw a man in the distance.

And I'm an animal lover.

And he had a golden retriever, and I just lost my golden.

And it had the vest on so I know it was a working dog.

And I said is it all right to pet your dog?

And he said, sure I use them in my funeral home.

And at that time I said, how do you use a dog in a funeral home?

And he said, I use it for grief therapy.

Pam got Aragorn throug an organization based in Santa Rosa, California, called Canine Companions for independence.

It's a nonprofit that trains and provides service dogs to people with special needs.

The training takes two years and only two breeds or a mix of the two are used.

The Golden Retriever because of its nature to please, and the Labrador because of its ability to retrieve.

What they do is they screen you.

You have to be approved.

You have to have a facility for the facility dog.

They're used in nursing homes, rehabilitation centers, certain schools.

So, once I was, I, I completed an application.

I had an hour phone interview.

My husban had to complete an application.

I had to complete an application and a video of the funeral home because these dogs, they they have been trained for two years, and the dogs are very valuable.

They're worth about $12,000 and you pay $100.

Just a registration fee because they're a nonprofit organization.

And then from then, I was on a waiting list, and I waited anxiously for, for three years.

When Pam finally got the call for a dog, she went through a week long training.

You don't know what dog you'r going to get when you're there.

You work with.

There were six of us in training.

And, there were eight dogs we all worked with.

And you're in a classroom setting for half the day and the other half the day.

You work with the dog and the trainers, watch how you deal with each dog, how the dog responds to you.

And on about the third day, they present you with the leash and say, this is, your dog.

And that's what I found out I got Aragorn.

Aragorn come on.

Lap.

Good boy, good boy.

Both Lucado and Marsha, who said he recently lost dear family members.

For Lou, it was his brother Angelo, and it hit him hard.

We're sitting down talking about the funeral arrangements in the part about that.

That I want to share is that that that was a time that I believe was the lowest part in terms of grieving, because I'm actually talking about putting him to rest, you know, and, and th realization that he was a god, that this friend of mine this brother of mine was gone, that I, that I love very much.

And this dog Aragor just came, came into the room.

Must have sensed that I was really, really hurting, you know because I was choking back tears and he put his head on my knee.

But I didnt say anything, you know, and it just amazed me.

It was such an experience that there are no adjectives to describe this feeling, because it was just a great feeling.

He just made me feel like somebody cared, you know, really cared, unconditionally cared.

And he was just so filled with love, you know, he's only been here, what, about 3 or 4 months and he's taken over the town.

Everyone just everyone knows him and say, well, my sister had her father in law here, and, I had seen in the paper that Aragorn, you know, was here, and I'm a dog lover.

And, so when I came into the funeral home, I asked if I could see Aragorn because my sister said that he had been here.

And so Pam brought the dog in, and she gave the dog the command.

And I just, like, overwhelmed.

I never expected to feel the, emotion that I felt.

I felt instant relief, just instant everything.

Just like left.

And I said to Pam, I said, this dog is giving me unconditional love.

Aragorn, tells me right now, in case you think this dog is too robotic or programed and just way too docile.

That's not the point.

The point is, is that he's working, and when he has his vest on, he's doing his job.

It's his uniform.

But when the vest comes off, the puppy comes out.

Aragon.

Release.

Come on, come on.

You give him the release command.

And he.

And he is a. He's a normal dog.

Go get the ball.

He loves to chase a ball, but he is so disciplined.

I don't know about, people that have retriever know how they love tennis balls.

And that's one of the, training that they do.

They'll drop, like, 2 tennis balls all over the room.

They're not allowed to chase the tennis ball.

And if they go after it, they're released.

So what to do with Aragon?

I'll throw that tennis ball down our hallway and I'll say, sit and stay.

And I'll say, go get it and fly after the ball.

For Pam's husband Ken, running a funeral home requires that he counsel understandably emotional people.

Aragon makes the job a bit easier.

You console peopl through a very difficult time, and now the dog is a great helper and he's rea and he's really helping people.

Yeah, we don't just foist the dog upon people.

We always check with them first.

If they're reluctant, like even today, you know, it just isn't done.

But most times, 99% of the tim they would like the dog present.

And after he's with them, they never send them away.

They never have changed their mind.

Nobody's ever said anything bad about it.

They've loved it.

They've come back afterwards, just again, just to see the dog.

They talk about them all the time.

Everybody's real happy with them and proud of them.

And the Carol tells us that the Eternal Funeral Home in Ellwood City is one of the only funeral homes in the area using this approach to help families deal with grief.

As for Aragorn, well, he's become somethin of a celebrity in Elwood City.

He is a dog that is loved very much.

Still to come, upscale bowling and more at Lucky Strike Lanes will be headed to the new Galleria at Pittsburgh Mills t check it out, so stay connected.

There's an easy way to get information on our recent stories, or find out about upcoming guests.

You can get web addresses or phone numbers we've given, and you can send us your your comment.

Just go to our website, wqed.org, and click OnQ.

With the weather outside turning a little colder, more people are now turning to indoor activities for fun.

Conveniently enough, a new bowling alley recently opened at the new Pittsburg Mills shopping complex.

But this alley offers more than just traditional bowling OnQ.

Dave and Dave have the story.

I'm Bill Stein I'm the general manager for Luck Strike Lanes here in Pittsburgh.

Where did it start?

Start in LA.

Start in Hollywood with only nine across the country.

Why Pittsburgh?

Well, the Pittsburgh Mills is actually one of the reasons that we're here.

It's only about 20 minutes from downtown Pittsburgh.

Hop on 28.

Get up to exitt at 12 A, and, two quick turns, and you're at lucky strike.

This was your idea to come here.

Why?

Because I've been reading a lot about it in the paper and on the internet.

And we are like the ball.

And, you know, it's fun and it's social.

So we're here, and it's a mall for you in the mall.

Or you get access from nowhere in the mall.

But we've got a store entrance and we've got an outside entrance.

Is this place up until two like a bar?

Yeah, we run out 11 or 2, seven days a week.

We've got 20 bowling lanes.

We've got 14 out in our main show there, and we got six up on our VIP lanes.

We've got hydraulic bumpers for the kids, which are fantastic.

You press one butto hydraulics, pump the bumpers up, and then when the adult gets up, the hydraulics will pop them down.

We've got some top of the line Brunswick pool tables here, but six of those.

We also have speedometers on our lanes.

We've go some of the latest technology.

And in ball return, this is like the fastest ball return technology that's out there right now.

It's fun.

It's lively.

I like the atmosphere.

Specifically, I like the decor.

Bright, colorful and the Hollywood sign.

If you guys seen that movie The Big Lebowski, that was actually filmed in our LA store, and that was actually used as a backdrop.

How is it spending your 18th birthday at a lucky strike?

It's actually really fun.

I had a lot of fun with family and everything.

Your little corner of the mall, it's kind of like a little sports area here.

Yeah, there's actually neighborhoods in the mall, and we're in the sports neighborhood, so right across the street we've got NASCAR Speed Park, and that's going to be opening up in spring of 2006.

Right across the way, we've got a glow in the dark mini golf.

The filet migno beast here is are my favorite.

Our menu really reflects kind of, you know, a fun atmosphere that we hold here.

What's the best thing on the menu?

I like the coconut shrimp.

The.

My favorite.

The mac and cheese ball.

Got a little bit of homemade marinara for that mac and cheese ball.

Oh, you can really taste the macaroni.

And that's what makes.

Ooh, fantastic.

Have you tried any of the food yet?

Yeah.

Yeah, we already had dinner.

Yeah, I actually had three meals.

Honest to God.

Oh.

You must like it pretty much.

you had three meals I did, I did, it was good food.

One of the signature dishes at All lucky Strikes.

Tomato and cheese.

S'mores to the nice buffalo mozzarella, melted over top.

Some fresh Roma tomatoes, a little basil, olive oil on there and they're fantastic.

Is there any particular food item that may help your bowling game that would come from the bar?

Why don't yo tell us what we're looking at?

We're looking at Lucky Strike, the split, the pop and fruit salad with our pop rocks on the outside and a Red bull margarita.

What's your favorite pop and fruit salad?

Sweets.

And I like pop rocks.

Pop in your mouth.

It's a little extra bonus.

Yeah.

It's fun.

I've been here in a day, like two, and it's tw totally different atmospheres.

You know, when you have the kids.

I don't think kids are lot here after nine.

There's a policy about kids here, right?

Well, we turn all adult at 9 p.m.. This is, this is a big adul playground here.

Lucky strike.

We definitely cater to all types.

During the day, we do a lot of kid parties.

And at 9:00, you know we kind of turn up the volume.

And here it's, you know, big rock and roll party.

We do enforce a dress code and, you know, bring in the right kind of clientele.

No jerseys except for on Steeler Sunday.

Okay.

And if you're wearing opposing team jersey, you might get a little bit of harassment.

We have, you know, baggy pants.

Not not somewhere, really some baggy pants.

The, the the ripped jeans.

We're gonna let that slide because you guys, are you guys all right.

You act like you don't do that all the time.

I don't, I swear to God.

This is like I haven't.

I couldn't even tell you last time I'm bowl.

Why should people come out to Lucky Strike Lanes?

Because we're awesome.

We're a lot of fun, as you can see.

Yeah.

You can come here and spend an entire evening.

You can dine, you can drink, you can dance and ball can play pool.

So there's definitely something to accomplishing for many hours on end here.

Oh, I'm so bad.

I'm horrible.

I should come here more often.

Yeah you should go there more often.

Although the mall closes at 9:30 in the evening, Lucky Strike lanes is open until two in the morning, seven days a week.

And they do take reservations for lanes.

And for more information you can log on to our website wqed.org.

Just clic the OnQ logo on the first page.

Thank you for watching.

We'll see you back here live at 7:30 tomorrow night.

Stay connected and have a good night.