Pet Therapy during Cancer Treatment
In her New York Times column “Life, Interrupted,” writer Suleika Jaouad described how a visit from a hospital therapy dog during her first round of chemotherapy stayed with her, and how, months after her bone marrow transplant, her doctors cleared her to adopt a puppy of her own.
Caring for Oscar wasn’t easy at first. Early-morning walks were exhausting after years of treatment, and she had to take extra precautions to protect her weakened immune system. Over time, though, keeping up with him got her out of bed, rebuilt her strength and gave her days a routine. She found that a dog doesn’t treat you like a patient, and that simple fact helped her feel like herself again.
Her story reflects what many oncology teams already know: pets and therapy animals can ease stress, ease loneliness and encourage gentle activity during treatment. If you’re considering a pet while in treatment, talk with your care team first about infection precautions, especially if your immune system is compromised.
Read Suleika Jaouad’s full column at The New York Times.
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