Mind Body Medicine — Pet Therapy

Pet therapy is the therapeutic use of pets as companions. Pets undergo extensive training before they can interact with patients.

Potential Application for Children with Cancer

Pets, specifically dogs, provide comfort to children. Pets have the potential to interact with patients to distract them from medical procedures, reduce anxiety, and enable them to have fun in a medical setting.

How is Pet therapy used in the hospital and outpatient clinic?

Dogs visit the children in both the hospital and outpatient clinic once a week. Each child must have medical clearance from their physician and consent from their parent before the dogs can visit. This program is funded and supervised through the Child Life Program.

Last updated: October 13, 2009