Cancer Fighters Thrive

WINTER 2013

Cancer Fighters Thrive is a quarterly print and online magazine bringing readers practical, innovative and inspirational information about cancer treatment and survivorship.

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SPECIAL FEATURE In all the ways they interact with patients, caregivers and employees, CTCA therapy dogs are making a remarkable impact, boosting the spirits of everyone they encounter. ANIMALS HEAL BEYOND THE HOSPITAL Hank Curry gives inmates and wild horses a second chance. Nevada-based horse trainer Hank Curry knows a thing or two about second chances: He was diagnosed with prostate cancer in 2012 and is undergoing treatment at CTCA in Goodyear, Arizona. Through a program at the Nevada State Prison, where inmates are taught to train and handle wild horses, he is giving both humans and equines an opportunity for a new life. "I teach inmates how to train wild mustangs," Hank explains. The goal for the horses is to prepare them to be sold at Bureau of Land Management auctions to new, caring homes. And, like the horses, the inmates involved can also make a fresh start as they learn about responsibility, perseverance and building relationships. "The program helps the inmates, and it helps the horses," Hank says. "It changes people's lives." The big lessons, he explains, come from the responsibility the inmates must take for the animals. "With the horses," Hanks explains, "you have to take care of problems. If you don't, they're still there the next day." As well, successful horse training requires a lot of interaction—an experience that Hank says helps the inmates with human relationships: "There is a lot of changing, growing up, as the guys learn how to interact with one another." exposure to pets. For some allergy sufferers, however, dog breeds with hair rather than fur (such as Labradoodles and Portuguese Water Dogs) may be safe options. Patients who do have allergies should talk with their doctor before agreeing to a visit with a therapy animal. Ingram explains that there are other situations in which a pet therapy visit could put the patient at risk: "If someone is in isolation, we won't go in the room." She and Tori also don't see patients with open wounds, and they typically avoid the stem cell unit and the intensive-care unit. To determine whether an animal therapy program is safe, Ingram suggests considering the following: "Make sure there are trained professionals to provide animal therapy." Trained professionals are registered through a reputable organization, such as Pet Partners. Therapy animals should also be registered. Through this work Hank is making the most of his second chance as a survivor to give both horses and inmates a fresh start. Like animal therapy in the hospitals, it is further testament to the power of human/animal relationships to rebuild and restore and to simply make us feel good. No case is typical. You should not expect to experience these results. 24 cancer fighters thrive | winter 2013 MAKING DAYS, VISIT BY VISIT In all the ways they interact with patients, caregivers and employees, CTCA therapy dogs are making a remarkable impact, boosting the spirits of everyone they encounter. cfthrive.com

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