Published in:
01-08-2012 | Invited Commentary
Complementary Medicine in Cancer Care: Adding a Therapy Dog to the Team
Author:
Dawn A. Marcus
Published in:
Current Pain and Headache Reports
|
Issue 4/2012
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Abstract
Animal-assisted therapy, including visits from certified therapy dogs, offer a valuable and often underutilized resource for addressing unmet needs in cancer patients. Prospective research studies have documented symptomatic benefits for reducing pain, psychological distress, and fatigue in a variety of patient populations, including cancer patients. Utilizing consistent policies minimizes patient risk and infection control concerns associated with animal visits.