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Animal Assisted Therapy For Cancer Supportive Care
Health Benefits of Pets
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Health Benefits of Pets
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According to the Centers for Disease Control1
Most households in the United States have at least one pet. Why do people have pets? There are many reasons.
Pets can decrease your: -
- Blood pressure
- Cholesterol levels
- Triglyceride levels
- Feelings of loneliness - Pets can increase your:
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- Opportunities for exercise and outdoor activities
- Opportunities for socialization
For cancer survivors animal assisted therapy (AAT) using either service animals or emotional (companion) support animals (ESA) may provide valuable support.
Service animals are individually trained to perform tasks for people with disabilities such as guiding people who are blind, alerting people who are deaf, pulling wheelchairs, alerting and protecting a person who is having a seizure, or performing other special tasks. Service animals are working animals, not pets.2
An emotional support animal is a domesticated pet which provides therapeutic benefit to its owner through companionship and affection. A pet is kept for companionship and enjoyment usually a dog, cat, bird, fish or turtle that is traditionally kept in the home for pleasure rather than commercial or any other purposes.
Both pet ownership and social support are significant predictors of survival, independent of the effects of the other psychosocial factors and physiologic status. Presence of pets has been associated with reduction of stress and blood pressure, coronary artery disease,3 and may reduce the risk of cardiovascular diseases including strokes.
Hospital animal visits have demonstrated help in pain control and stress for patients.4 Canine visitation therapy (CVT) improves cardiopulmonary pressures, neurohormone levels, and anxiety in patients hospitalized with heart failure.5
Presented at the 2008 International Stroke Conference, "A decreased risk for death due to myocardial infarction (MI and all cardiovascular diseases [including stroke] was observed among persons with cats. Acquisition of cats as domestic pets may represent a novel strategy for reducing the risk of cardiovascular diseases in high-risk individuals."6
Exercise and Lifestyle Changes
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A moderate amount of regular exercise is important to promote a healthy lifestyle. A recent article showed that physical exercise could help improve cognitive function, as well as decrease anxiety and depression.7,8
Studies have shown owning and walking a dog daily promotes better physical activity in children, adults and seniors.9,10 Increasing regular physical activity in adults at elevated risk of cardiovascular disease is an important target for preventive medicine. Research has shown that it's easier to be physically active and stick with an exercise program when there is a social support partner.11
Dog ownership was associated with physical activity and walking. Dog owners had 57% to 77% higher physical activity compared to those not owning dogs.12 The reason is that companion dogs have been shown to be excellent exercise buddies and can be counted on as loyal weight loss partners. Dog ownership is associated not only with better exercise but also with weight control. "Given the importance of social support and physical activity in weight loss, 'Do you own a dog?' or 'Have you considered buying a dog?' should be included in the medical history for overweight and obese patients."13,14
The role of exercise and diet as preventive measures comprises hundreds of studies. They have shown a reduction of the risks of medical problems, comorbidities, toxic side effects, second cancers and increased survival and quality of life.
Psychological Status and Support
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In the Nurses' Health Study, socially isolated women had a 66% increased risk of all-cause mortality and a two-fold increased risk of breast cancer-specific mortality.15 Much of this was related to lack of access to care from family and friends. Depression is a major problem. In a study of ovarian cancer patients treated with platinum-based chemotherapy, depression was the strongest prognostic factor for survival.16 Psychosocial and family support is important, as depression does affect the outcome of older patients.17
Social isolation is a major problem for older adults in general and is a risk factor for psychological distress. "Pet ownership, or just being in the presence of a companion animal, is associated with health benefits, including improvements in mental, social, and physiologic health status."18 Emotional support animals provide social and community therapeutic support for isolation and depression among the elderly and disabled.19,20
Recognizing the importance of supportive animal assisted therapy, The Fair Housing Amendments Act of 1988, Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, and Title II of the Americans with Disabilities Act permit either a person with disabilities or an elderly/senior to keep a pet for emotional support.21 Effective November 26, 2008, the Department of Housing and Urban Development issued Pet Ownership for the Elderly and Persons With Disabilities.22 Landlords, condominium associations, trailer parks, etc, must make accommodation for the pet and not charge extra fees or deposits. A letter or prescription from a medical professional regarding the need for the companion animal may be required.
Conclusion
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Animal assisted therapy preventive healthcare creates opportunities for better lifestyle choices, and social networks. An emotional support animal may relieve depression, anxiety, stress, and improve coping skills. Cancer supportive care pet ownership may be a novel approach to promote better health and quality of life.
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