Natural Pet News "Barks"

Therapy dog for kids
The Maine Children's Cancer Program has a new staff member. Daisy, an Australian Labradoodle, will be the first full-time therapy dog in an outpatient oncology clinic in the United States. "The average course of treatment for childhood cancer is two years," Debra Matson, MCCP's program administrator, said in a release. She said children spend hours every week in chemotherapy and the staff hopes that Daisy will give the children something to look forward to when they come to the medical center. "Daisy also happens to be a comedian and, given the nature of the work we do, the laughter she brings us each day is an unexpected bonus," Matson said. MCCP will collect data to document Daisy's effect on patients. Planet Dog Foundation provided a $2,500 grant to fund Daisy's training and certification.

Natural Foods Merchandiser volume XXVII/number 10/p. 92