Building a movement for brave kids - one procedure at a time
Bridging Medical and Behavioral Worlds to Transform Pediatric Care As both a pediatric phlebotomist and RBT, I speak both languages fluently - and I'm teaching them to work together
What Happens Now:
- A child is held down while screaming, terrified
- A parent is forced to apologize for their child’s fear.
- A technician walks away shaken, exhausted, or worse — numb.
All because no one was ever trained to see the child—beyond the vein, beyond the needle, beyond the procedure.
There MUST be a better way and there is - The Poke Pals way
What We’re Offering Instead:
- Preparation.
- Predictability.
- Consent.
- Emotional safety for the child, support for the parent, and confidence for the provider.
We’re not just preventing trauma.
We’re building trust where there’s usually fear.
That’s trauma-informed care. That’s ethical care. That’s revolutionary.
"Why Poke Pals Exists"
The Problem
Too often, a simple blood draw, dental visit or vaccination becomes a traumatic event for a child—especially for neurodivergent, sensory-sensitive, or anxious children.
- Children scream, fight, or freeze.
- Parents feel helpless or blamed.
- Providers are overwhelmed and unprepared.
This shouldn't be normal.
Our Why
Poke Pals exists to change this.
We believe every child deserves trauma-informed care. We believe parents deserve compassion and support. We believe healthcare professionals deserve tools and training that work in the real world.
We're creating calm, building trust, and making people truly feel like cared for
What We Do
- Provide workshops and trainings to clinics, ABA centers, and hospitals
- Create visual toolkits and social stories for children and caregivers
- Offer consulting to improve pediatric care for neurodivergent patients
The greatest teachers in my career have been the children themselves. Every brave kiddo who has trusted me during a difficult moment has taught me something new about resilience, courage, and the power of understanding. They've shaped not just my techniques, but my heart. PokePals exists because of what they've shown me is possible.
