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The Good Dog Foundation is committed to advancing the field of Animal Assisted Therapy by conducting research to better understand exactly how Animal Assisted Interactions can positively impact specific physical and emotional challenges that individuals may be facing.

One of our studies, conducted by researchers at Mount Sinai Beth Israel, found that patients with head-and-neck cancers undergoing dual chemo and radiation therapies experienced significant increases in emotional well-being and quality of life when certified Good Dog teams visited them during the course of their treatment, even as they experienced significant declines in both physical and functional well-being.

The study was published in the Journal of Community and Supportive Oncology and is the first study published in a peer-review journal to document the benefits of animal-assisted therapy for adult cancer patients. It clearly highlights the merits of certified therapy dog visits using the same scientific standards held for the cancer treatment itself.

These results bear out scientifically the health benefits we have seen for more than 17 years at Good Dog, help advance the medical community’s understanding of the value of animal-assisted therapy in cancer treatment, and point to ways the oncology and therapy animal communities can work together in supporting cancer patients to achieve the best possible treatment outcomes.

This groundbreaking study was made possible due to the generous support from the Pfizer Foundation, Zoetis, our volunteers, and donors. Thank you for helping us advance the field of animal-assisted therapy to help more people in need.