Mrs. Pence visits Dell Children's Medical Center

While Vice President Mike Pence met with the nation's governor's, Mrs. Pence visited Dell Children's Medical Center. Mrs. Pence is a former art teacher. As Second Lady, she made art therapy her platform issue.

She specifically sought out Dell Children's hospital to learn more about their program.

On Wednesday, Second Lady Karen Pence joined six year old Chloee Allen for her art therapy session. "Hi Chloee. Nice to meet you," said Pence.

Chloee is recovering from brain surgery.

In the words of the Second Lady, art therapy is believed to improve and enhance the emotional well-being of such a patient. Pence, who is a former art teacher, became a champion of the practice in 2006 -- right around the time Dell Children's Medical Center started it's own program.

After a tour of the patient art gallery, Mrs. Pence attended a round table discussion.

She explained what she hoped to accomplish by naming art therapy as her platform.

"I have three goals in choosing this initiative. The first is to elevate the profession so people understand these are masters and doctorate-trained therapists. This is a mental health profession. Secondly, I want people to know this is an option. You know if you were in a car accident, or a difficulty you would go to any other type of therapy. This therapy is a choice and I don't think people even know it's out there. And there are a lot of private art therapist. The third, I want more people to go into the profession," said Pence.

Hospital chief operating officer Deb Brown was thrilled Pence sought out Dell Children's.

"She was so endearing and really knowledgeable of art therapy and the benefits and having the understanding that it's not just art that's being done. It's a real mental health type of therapy that helps children," said Brown.

She says Chloee is showing signs of progress.

"She hasn't smiled too much. Today, she had a grin from ear to ear," said Brown.

Mrs. Pence is also interested in the art therapy for veterans. She is urging more to get into the field so that studies may be done to show the benefits she has witnessed.