A rare form of healing has taken root in the radiotherapy unit at Johannesburg’s Netcare Olivedale Hospital, where therapy dogs are doing more than hospital rounds by transforming the essence of patient care and bringing joy to patients living with cancer.
“These unconventional therapists, with their wagging tails and gentle spirits, bring an unparalleled sense of comfort, joy and warmth to patients in ways that no conventional treatment can,” Netcare’s Cancer Care quality manager, Dr Julie Herold, said.
Orlando, a beautiful Golden Retriever, and his charming colleague Honey, a Labrador, are therapy dogs on a mission to bring comfort. Prioritising patients’ health and safety, the dogs are fully vaccinated, impeccably clean and groomed, and dressed in their “TOP Dogs” uniforms. They visit the radiotherapy unit at Netcare Olivedale Hospital on the first Monday of every month, offering tender loving care and a morale boost to patients undergoing radiation treatment for cancer.
Herold said that the presence of therapy dogs in radiotherapy units aligns with a growing trend in the health-care industry and they play a crucial role.
She added that their ultimate goal is to extend the benefits of animal therapy to all their radiotherapy units, enhancing patient care and well-being.
“Research indicates that on a physical level, therapy dogs can help lower blood pressure, increase beneficial hormones, and decrease stressful hormones. But the real benefit is on a psychological level as therapy dogs can help with stress relief and ease feelings of loneliness and depression,” she said.
According to Herold, the interaction with the dogs gives patients some sense of normality and loads of selfless love and affection when coming for their radiotherapy treatments.
Interacting with the dogs is also meaningful and impactful for their staff, who thoroughly enjoy their presence.
The comforting effects of animals have been noticed throughout the years, with Florence Nightingale recommending a small pet “as a good companion for the sick”.
A growing number of studies support this, with evidence that animals really can aid in the healing process, particularly for patients who are facing the challenges of a long therapeutic journey.
Radiation therapy unit manager at Netcare Olivedale Nancy Tshishimbi has seen the difference in patients since the TOP Dogs programme was introduced earlier this year.
“Bringing therapy dogs into our radiation unit has transformed the experience, opening a whole new world for patients. You can see their eyes light up with joy when they see the four-legged therapists.”
The dogs are extremely well-behaved and gentle, and the difference in patient morale is clear.
“These dogs bring a sense of calm and happiness that traditional treatments alone cannot provide,” Tshishimbi said.
Wendy Carter, of TOP Dogs, meanwhile said that the therapy dogs all have exceptional temperaments and are assessed continuously.
“These dogs must be calm, gentle, and responsive to the needs of individuals experiencing physical and emotional stress.”
Top Dogs recruits their members from the public who are willing to volunteer with their pets, together as a human-dog team. Critical in the selection of the dogs is that they have an already existing confidence and calmness around other dogs, people and unusual surroundings.
“At TOP Dogs, we often say therapy dogs are born, not bred,” Carter said.
“Patients can choose whether to interact with the dogs at all. Depending on their needs, the dogs may place their paws on the patient’s arm or hand or rest a head on the patient’s lap. Some of the dogs will “speak” on command,” Carter explained.
The dogs are kept extremely clean before a visit and as they enter the reception area of the radiotherapy unit via a separate entrance, their paws are sanitised to remove the dust they may have picked up on their paws when crossing the car park.
“We have positively impacted the lives of hundreds of people in need, and our dearest wish is to continue improving the lives of young and old in all stages of health,” Carter added.
Pretoria News