American Family Children's Hospital held its open house Sunday, and one room got much of the attention.

When Laurie Meade died, her family wanted to do something in which to remember her. And, as it turns out, they may have accomplished something that has never been done before.

When the Waukesha native was born with Cystic Fibrosis, doctors gave her eight years to live. Thirty two years later, it finally caught up with her. Her family, knowing that time may be running out, shifted their attention to her pets.

"She missed them, she did not have children of her own, so her pets became her children," said her father Robert Ricciardelli.

Beck is a nine year old Husky that Laurie adopted from the Humane Society. Her family talked to the Hospital to arrange a visit.

"When he came around the corner with the dog her face just lit up and tears just started streaming down her face," said her mother Kitty Ricciardelli. "It was the best thing that happened to her in the last seven weeks of her life."

Three weeks later, in May of 2004, Laurie Meade passed away. But her memory and story will live on.

The American Family Children's Hospital Community in Madison held their open house Sunday. The six story, 80 million dollar facility features many state of the art improvements, but one stands out among all the rest.

"This room is set up so if there are kids that want to see their pets, they've got that opportunity," stated Laurie's brother Bob Ricciardelli.

The Laurie Meade Pet Visitation Room was the brainchild of Laurie's husband Dr. Jeffrey Meade, a pediatrician in Watertown.

"When he saw the hospital being built he said, 'you know what, these kids need is a spot to be able to visit with their animals,' said her brother Bob. "Because, it was such an inspiration to a lot of the staff there at the TLC as well as helping Laurie."

"She spent enough time in the hospital over her lifetime that she knows how important that is, " responded her mother. "And it is just a good way to remember her."

To get the money for the room, Laurie's family used a fund raiser that she had set up for the Humane Society. The event was called the Fur Ball, which was an annual dinner and silent auction.

During her life, Laurie gave the proceeds to companion animal groups.
That money is now given out in what is called the Laurie Award.