APPLETON, WI (WTAQ) – A local program has given people undergoing chemotherapy a new four-legged friend.
For the past three months, Molly Johnson has taken her therapy dog Fitzgerald William for weekly visits to ThedaCare’s Regional Cancer Center in Appleton.
During the two hour stays, the four-year-old Basset Hound sees roughly ten patients, as well as family members and staff.
In addition to bringing joy and hope to the patients, Johnson says visits from a therapy dog are known to reduce incidents of depression and increase levels of oxytocin, a feel-good hormone released when doing something pleasurable.
While Fitzgerald has seen a number of patients, Johnson says he has formed a special bond with one 30-year-old police officer. Jackson Wilson of Clintonville has enjoyed Fitzgerald’s visits so much that he has included pictures of him and the dog to his personal online health journal.
Johnson says Wilson’s family and friends have started asking him more about the dog than about his illness, which he welcomes.
Although Fitzgerald is the only dog currently visiting patients at the cancer center, Johnson says they are looking to expand the program.
To be eligible, dogs must be registered through an approved therapy dog program, in addition to being at least one year old, calm, polite, and able to greet people with all four paws on the ground.
Anyone interested in learning more about the program can visit caninecomfort.us.
