Benefits of Emotional Dogs to Cancer Patients (Essay Sample)

In 2018, estimations projected 18.1 million new global cancer infections and a death toll of 9.6 million people. Cancer patients suffer immensely from physical pain to emotional distress. Every effort, however minor, to combat this disease comes as a reprieve to its sufferers. Some health care units have resorted to incorporating trained pets called animal-assisted therapists (AAT), especially dogs, to pursue better results against the menace. With proper guidelines, there has been a substantial success in such hospitals. This article explains the benefits of emotional dogs to cancer patients. 
Tension and Anxiety Relief
First, the use of emotional dogs relieves tension and anxiety in breast cancer patients. In a 2015 study by White et al., 57% of breast cancer patients experience anxiety. They examine that pet therapy remedies bolster patient response to signs. According to the study, pet presence improves therapy participation by icebreaking discourse between patient and therapist since it creates an avenue for diversion when a patient is divulging uncomfortable and confidential information. The research discovered that patients are uneasy about cancer-related appointments. However, it says that after the first session in the presence of Tallulah (a trained dog), patients were relieved of stress emotions and looked forward to meeting Tallulah in their future sessions. The study adds that participants recalled their previous session as lonesome and isolating. The authors assert that initiating a cancer session and opening up about difficult emotions is daunting. The presence of trained animals can alleviate this immense pressure on patients.  
Pain Relief
Second, pets relieve pain in pediatric cancer patients. Braun et al. (2009) discovered that children with cancer who had interacted with a dog and its handler for at least 15 minutes reported lower pain levels than the control group that sat alone for at least 15 minutes. The research comprised 57 inpatient children between 3-and 17 years. The experimental children received animal therapy, while the control group did not. They also observed that juvenile cancer patients who had pets at home experienced reduced pain than those without, findings corroborating results Sobo et al. (2006) had reported earlier, even though the latter employed a ruler strip, unlike the Wong-Baker FACES scale. Sobo et al. proceeded with surgery with a therapy dog: the dog spent varying timeframes with children. The two studies may have used a small sample of 57 and 25 correspondingly; nonetheless, the outcomes are imperative given the immense pain children with cancer encounter. Therapy animals are alternative cancer pain alleviators that medics and caregivers should consider.