A Longford family's dream to help sick children has taken a major step forward.
Construction began this morning on the new Cians Kennel pet visiting centre at Crumlins Children's Hospital.
The new facility is named for Cian Neary, who passed away in 2019 due a rare form of cancer.
Throughout his treatment, Cian's dog Cooper was a lifeline to the Longford teen, with the new centre designed to let sick children visit their family pets in a safe and controlled environment.
Following years of fundraising, Cian's parents Evelyn and Enda raised close to €100, 000 for the construction and operation of the kennels.
It's hoped the centre will be open and available for use by early March.
Speaking to the Joe Finnegan Show from the site this morning, Evelyn Neary says family pets can be a vital support to children dealing with illness.
