Ask CancerCare

I’m so sorry about your mom’s most recent difficulties with her chemotherapy treatments; this must be causing such a disruption in her life, from both a medical and emotional perspective. With that said, your idea is a wonderful one! You are identifying a key component in improving her health and well being. It sounds like her dog is not only a valued family member, but a lifeline, and I can understand why it would be so important for her (and you too) to have him by her side as she copes with the challenges of these complications. While recent research supports the idea that a pet can benefit those who are ill in many ways, most health care settings lag behind in terms of implementing these ideas. In good news however, there are more and more hospitals employing programs that allow patients’ pets to be brought in for visitation. This article featured by the New York Times can help to guide you in the process of talking with the hospital staff about this. You can even present this article to your mother’s medical team to help them to better understand the idea and its benefits.

Also, this organization’s mission is to connect humans with their pets, especially in a health care setting. Perhaps they can be of help: Pets Are Wonderful Support (PAWS)

I sincerely hope that you are able to help your mom to connect with her dear dog. Good luck to you!