Cancer therapy dog in action (Short video)

The first video below offers a charming view of a cancer therapy dog helping out at a cancer treatment center. The second one presents a doctor (and furry companion), with the doctor giving reasons why this arrangement works.

As one of a number of non-primary cancer supplemental therapies (others being things like music therapy, aromatherapy, etc.) it is difficult to do an objective evaluation of this form of treatment. But intuitively it does seem to work.

So perhaps it is proper to watch these videos with a sense of gratitude toward our canine friends who are always so ready and eager to help us out, even in a hospital setting.

Therapy dog in action:
www.youtube.com/watch?v=dFPGAqUNWn4

Medical facts about therapy dogs:
www.youtube.com/watch?v=BsHXWpk947c

One more comment on this topic.

After starting this thread, I began to wonder if there was one particular breed of dog that was generally considered to be the best choice for the role of therapy dog, in particular for cancer.

After doing some web research I concluded it was rather the case that there are a number of different breeds thought to be especially good at this kind of job.

Here's a listing of some of the leading ones, on a site that would seem to be authoritative on this subject:

www.therapydogcertification.com/5-best-therapy-dog-breeds/

But I suppose the best answer is that any good old dog can do the job if he or she has the right personality and "fits in."

(The golden retriever in the first video above would certainly seem to be a great candidate. My nephew owns one who looks exactly like the one in the video above. Her name is Blondie and she is the most gentle-natured dog I have ever known).

Great Video. I really enjoyed it. Brought back great memories of our Black Lab "Roxie".

She was the first therapy dog at our local hospital. Every Wednesday for about 5 years my wife and Roxie made their rounds. I went with them several times.

Dogs are such great friends..........Berk