Pawfect healing with top dogs

PROGRAMME: FOUR-LEGGED FRIENDS BRING JOY TO NETCARE PATIENTS LIVING WITH CANCER

Animals are recruited from the public willing to volunteer with pets.

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," says Netcare's Cancer Care quality manager, Dr Julie Herold

Orlando, a 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 (Touch our pets) Dogs" uniforms.

They visit the radiotherapy unit at the hospital on the first Monday of every month between 11am and noon, offering tender loving care and a morale boost to patients undergoing radiation treatment.

Herold says the presence of therapy dogs in radiotherapy units, like the one at Olivedale Hospital, aligns with a growing trend in the healthcare industry.

"Dr Cindy Aitton, the head of Netcare's Cancer Care division, is a strong advocate of this initiative and has played a crucial role in its implementation across Netcare facilities. Our ultimate goal is to extend the benefits of animal therapy to all our radiotherapy units, enhancing patient care and well-being.

"The real benefit is on a psychological level, as therapy dogs can help with stress relief and ease feelings of loneliness and depression.