You don’t see a panda every day in downtown Fargo, North Dakota.
But recently the mascot for Panda Express — and the restaurant group’s charity wing called Panda Cares — showed up to celebrate the opening of a new room at the Sanford Traumatic Stress Treatment Center and Sanford Children’s CARE (Child Abuse Referral and Evaluation) Clinic.
“It’s really inspiring when we can lean on our community, on our leadership, on organizations to support the work that we do,” said Nicola Herting, Ph.D., a pediatric psychologist at Sanford Fargo. “This is really difficult work, and it’s not work we can do alone. We need that support, and we need to be able to provide these spaces and these tools and resources for the work to happen.”
Much-needed respite space
The newly dedicated Panda Cares Center of Hope offers a safe space for children who have gone through intense trauma, ranging from physical or sexual abuse to neglect or the traumatic loss of a loved one. The new space can play an important role in the healing journey for patients like Charleigh Ferguson, this year’s Children’s Miracle Network Champion.
While Sanford doctors use evidence-based trauma therapy to work with patients like Charleigh, the room can also help those children reset after difficult sessions, offering a place to play games or have fun through art, creativity and even video games.
“It creates a safe, child-friendly, trauma-informed environment that feels safe and comfortable and not so medical or clinical,” Dr. Herting said.
The project was made possible thanks to a donation of more than $200,000 from Panda Cares to the Sanford Health Foundation. Both organizations are affiliated with the Children’s Miracle Network, so partnering on this project was a natural fit.
“Donations and support from the foundation really help our kids thrive,” Dr. Herting said.
Positive impact for kids and doctors
Dr. Herting and her team were thrilled by the Panda Cares donation. She explained how something seemingly simple like a playroom can help so many traumatized children.
“Part of going through really hard things is being impacted by them,” she said. “With that comes symptoms of high avoidance, of feeling really afraid, difficulties trusting people. Creating a space where kids can come and be playful, and feel comfortable and at home, is critical for building that rapport and that trust with the relationship with the therapist, with the provider. And I think this room really helps do that.”
The joy and excitement of the day was written on the faces of Dr. Herting and the Panda Cares team on opening day. The partnership could blossom in the future too, which would be wonderful news for Dr. Herting.
“We would love to see this space grow and develop, and be able to offer more to our kids,” she said. “This is a great start and inspiration for what can come in the future.”
Learn more
- Sanford Health provides resources to prevent child abuse
- Panda Express donates masks and meals to Sanford workers
- Sanford Fargo specializes in traumatic stress treatment
- Recognizing child trauma and helping kids cope
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Posted In Behavioral Health, Children's, Fargo, Foundation