Surviving and living with a life threatening illness such as cancer requires working through emotional and spiritual issues.  Trained therapy dogs are especially effective in helping to boost morale and social-spiritual wellbeing.  This is true not only for patients, but also for their family members and other caregivers.  The stress of caring for loved ones with cancer can be draining, yet caregivers and family members must be emotionally and spiritually whole in order to make a positive impact on the patient.  Therapy dogs accomplish this by creating a diversion from the routine and adding spontaneity to daily care.  Therapy dogs also serve as a conduit for communication, allowing others to voice needs and concerns of their own to a non-judgmental and loving presence.  The healing presence of a therapy dog allows people to live in the present moment, to let go of past struggles or their fears of what the future may hold.

Socialization: Pet owners experience increased social interaction which leads to a better sense of psychological wellbeing.

Blunt Pain: By initiating and maintaining the relaxation response, pets take people’s focus  off of their pain and elevate their mood.

Mental Health:Patients who have pets are less depressed or anxious than those         who do not own pets.

Empathy: Children who spend time with pets develop higher levels of empathy         and learn responsibility. 

Motivation and Learning: Therapy dogs stimulate learning and  intellectual development.

Immunity: Therapy dogs can help boast the immune system of hospitalized patients.

Overall Health: Pet owners have shorter hospital stays, fewer doctor visits and don’t have as much trouble falling asleep at night.

“A faithful friend is the medicine of life and immortality.” Ecclesiasticus 6:16

The healing power of touch:

The soothing effects of petting a therapy dog can encourage healing on a deeper emotional level.

“Animals make our lives better”

Living with a life-threatening illness such as cancer requires working through emotional, social and spiritual issues.  Therapy dogs help boost morale, self esteem and overall feelings of wellbeing.  

For more information on how to become an “Angel On A Leash” therapy dog team at the Ronald McDonald House of NY, Inc., please visit the following websites:

Delta Society:
www.deltasociety.org

Westminster Kennel Club:
www.westminsterkennelclub.org

Also, please contact Chaplain Cherilyn Frei, Director of Spiritual Care and the “Angel On a Leash” Therapy Dog Program at the Ronald McDonald House of NY, Inc. at cfrei@rmdh.org or call her at (212) 639-0195.