Animal Assisted Therapy
The Therapeutic Benefit of Animals

Animal assisted therapy (ATT), or "animal therapy" as it is also known, refers to the use of animals to simply make life a little more pleasant for those undergoing various treatments, e.g. chemotherapy.

Numerous studies have shown that there are positive benefits in animal-patient interaction, as animals can offer both physical and mental therapeutic benefits.

For those undergoing treatment, interacting with animals can sometimes be a deeply meaningful experience. They become more motivated to leave their rooms or homes and to interact more with other people.

For many, the animal actually provides the motivation for the individual to engage in treatment. Often when undergoing treatment over long periods of time, a person may withdraw from human interaction, but will interact with a pet. And, in many instances this animal also serves as the bridge to communicating with others.

The types of animal used varies, with dogs being the most commonly used for pet therapy, as they have a long history of interacting with humans.

Here are my personal experiences with animal assisted therapy...

I never meant to get a Yorkshire Terrier.

I always thought they were yappy, nippy little things that rode in cars on the laps of dignified ladies. Okay, maybe not all dignified, but anyway...

Chester arrived by car window, I am assuming, and landed in front of our house with a broken leg. We took him in and tended to his wounds, and tried to find his owners.

Four days later the "Lost Puppy" signs came down and we became his family.

For the next three weeks he thumped around wearing a red cast decorated with blue hearts. He was our brand new puppy.

Then came cancer...

During my recovery from chemo, Chester never left my side. If he did, I would summon someone to find him and bring him to me. He didn't mind sleeping all day and all night and keeping me company until I was ready to emerge from my chemical coma.

He knew I needed him as a non-speaking, non-whining companion.

He was furry, and warm, and never demanding.

Once in a while he took a break and was replaced with a cat twice his size or a dog twenty times his size, but it wasn’t quite the same.

In a house with four dogs and three cats, Chester was most definitely the man for the job.

During chemo, pets can provide inestimable support and love. They are patient, understanding, and their bond is unconditional.

Recovering from cancer and chemo?

Adopt a Chester of your own, and let him keep you and your family warm.

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