Animals such as dogs, cats, and other mammals (ferrets, miniature horses, monkeys, parrots, pigs) have been proven to be very beneficial to cancer patients while they are undergoing treatment. Support animals include “emotional support animals” and “service animals” and they can have physical, mental and emotional benefits for cancer patients.
The most common emotional support animals (ESAs) are dogs or cats. The main goal of emotional support animals is to comfort patients and help them feel inspired to continue with cancer treatment. Their benefits include creating an emotional connection during a difficult time, distracting a patient when they are in pain, eliminating feelings of isolation, relieving symptoms of depression, decreasing the need for pain medications etc.
Service animals are certified dogs (only) that are individually trained to do work or perform tasks for the benefit of an individual with a physical or mental disability. Their benefits to cancer patients include help with getting around, performing daily tasks, keeping up with their treatment regimen as well as helping with small tasks (such as pressing buttons, pulling wheelchairs, retrieving dropped items).
Click here to learn more about benefits of support animals for cancer patients.
