Adding Therapy Dogs to Your Cancer Treatment Team

Abstract

Facility-specific guidelines need to be developed to address certification requirements for therapy dogs, practical logistics of therapy dog visits, and infection control issues. Policies should be developed using expertise from volunteer coordinators, risk management, infection control specialists, veterinarians, and therapy dog handlers. Outside agencies are used to train, test, and certify therapy dogs. Insurance is generally provided through these agencies. Dogs can become colonized with some human pathogens. Implementing infection control procedures and controlling dog behavior during visits reduce risks for dogs becoming colonized. Established programs incorporating therapy dogs as complementary treatment for cancer patients offer role models for the development of new programs.