Therapy Dogs in Cancer Care (eBook)

Dawn A. Marcus, MDUniversity of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA, USA

1. Cancer overview a. Cancer statistics b. Modifiable cancer risk factors i. Physical activity c. Cancer-related symptoms i. Psychological distress 1. Mood disorders 2. Stress 3. Isolation and loneliness 4. Significance of stress and isolation on cancer progression ii. Fatigue iii. Pain 1. Impact of cancer pain d. Complementary cancer treatment i. Therapy dogs in cancer care e. Summary2. Introduction to therapy dogs a. Animal-assisted therapy vs animal-assisted activities i. Example of successful animal-assisted therapy for cancer patients b. Differentiating working dogs: therapy dog vs service dog c. Medical studies evaluating benefits from therapy dog visits i. Limitations with therapy dog studies ii. Patient benefits from therapy dog visits 1. Mood enhancement 2. Pain relief 3. Loneliness reduction iii. Benefits for patient supporters and caregivers d. Physiological impact from dog visits i. Neurochemical changes ii. Immune markers iii. Stress response e. Ethics of dog therapy i. Physiological changes in dogs working as therapy dogs f. Summary3. Dogs as cancer detectors a. Medical alert dogs i. Companion dogs alerting to cancer ii. Dogs trained to alert doctors to cancer b. Olfactory ability of dogs c. Explaining the physiology of cancer sniffing i. Volatile gas detection in lung cancer 1. Detecting lung cancer using smellprints ii. Volatile gas detection in breast cancer iii. Volatile gas detection in skin cancer iv. Volatile gas detection in brain cancer d. Experimental studies testing cancer-detection abilities in dogs i. Lung and breast cancer ii. Bladder cancer iii. Prostate cancer iv. Colorectal cancer v. Ovarian cancer e. Summary4. Dog therapy with cancer treatment a. Overview of therapy dog impact in cancer care i. Prospective research ii. Anecdotal reports b. Therapy dog visits when coping with a cancer diagnosis c. Therapy dog visits during inpatient care i. Therapy dogs for inpatient pediatric cancer treatment ii. Therapy dogs can make a home away from home d. Therapy dog visits before testing or treatment e. Therapy dog visits during chemotherapy f. Therapy dog visits during end-of-life and hospice care i. End-of-life support for secondary survivors g. Therapy dogs relieve staff stress i. Example of indirect patient benefits from changes in staff and patient visitors h. Summary5. Adding therapy dogs to your cancer treatment team  a. Establishing a therapy dog program i. Model oncology therapy dog program ii. Recommendations for making visits b. Identifying appropriate dogs i. Breed, size, and age requirements ii. Therapy dog sixth sense c. Guidelines for dog-handler teams d. Selecting appropriate patient candidates for visits e. Infection precautions with therapy dogs i. Human colonization with MRSA ii. Infection transmission between humans and pets iii. Minimizing spread of infection between dogs and humans iv. Visiting patients in intensive care or isolation f. Example of a typical therapy dog visit during cancer care g. Successful programs caring for cancer with therapy dogs i. Cancer Caring Center at the University of Pittsburgh ii. Pets at Duke iii. Angel Foundation's Kids Kamp h. Summary6. Incorporating companion dogs into cancer rehab: emotional support a. Overview of companion dogs' role during cancer treatment b. Dogs relieve stress i. Cardiovascular reactivity decreases with companion dogs ii. Therapy dog visits reduce stress for patients and their caregivers c. Dogs can provide emotional and social support i. Cancer patients may feel emotionally isolated from human support network ii. Companion dogs as social capital iii. Companion dogs can provide unwavering support d. Summary7. Incorporating companion dogs into cancer rehab: benefits from physical exercise for cancer patients a. Quantifying exercise level b. Prevention benefits from exercise c. Benefits of physical exercise after a cancer diagnosis i. Reduced symptoms 1. Fatigue ii. Improved quality of life iii. Improved survival d. Feasibility i. Lymphedema after breast cancer surgery with axillary node dissection e. Walking for cancer patients i. Walking exercise reduces symptoms ii. Walking exercise improves survival iii. Prescribing a walking program during cancer recovery 1. Dog walking improves exercise adherence 2. Healthy hydration f. Summary8. Incorporating companion dogs into cancer rehab: dog-themed exercise program for cancer patients a. Exercise prescription for cancer patients b. Why include a companion dog in an exercise program? c. Dog-themed exercise program designed for cancer patients and survivors i. Stretching exercises 1. Upper body leash exercises 2. Lower body leash exercises 3. Neck stretching 4. Back stretches 5. Exercise with dog toys ii. Balance exercises iii. Strengthening exercises iv. Exercises for lymphedema v. Aerobic exercise d. Summary9. Incorporating companion dogs into cancer rehab: practical tips for adding a dog into the home  during cancer treatment and recovery a. Considerations before adding a companion dog b. Choosing an appropriate dog c. Taking advantage of dog-related benefits when adding a companion dog is not appropriate d. Expectations for therapeutic benefits e. Summary10. Resources  a. Internet resources i. Therapy dog organizations ii. American Kennel Club therapy dog certification iii. Service dog organizations b. Exercise instructions for cancer patients c. Books i. Complementary medicine during cancer care ii. Therapy dog books 1. Therapy dog training books 2. Therapy dog books for children iii. Healing power of companion pets 1. Books for adding a companion dog into the home iv. Exercising with your dog