Fare thee well my bright star

Posted October 11th, 2017

It is with a heavy heart that I write this, the final entry to the Healing Paws blog. Finn, the wonderful therapy dog who was the focus of this blog series, died on August 28th. He had been coping with multiple complications after having his CCL (the dog equivalent of the ACL) repaired in April. […]

Healing Paws: Brenda and Finn

Posted June 24th, 2016

There is no doubt that Brenda was skeptical when she first heard that therapy dogs would be coming to the radiation oncology department. “I didn’t get it…until I saw it.” Fast forward one year, and Brenda has become a big supporter of pet therapy. Brenda works as a patient access coordinator in the department. She […]

Healing Paws: Kim and Finn

Posted March 18th, 2016

Kim is a dedicated staff member of the Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia radiation oncology team. Kim is the first face the families coming for treatment see. They trust her implicitly. That is why Kim’s endorsement of Finn, the therapy dog, is so important. Kim is a self-proclaimed dog person, but can’t have a dog of […]

Healing Paws: Claire, Elise, Kim, Don and Finn

Posted February 9th, 2016

“Sissy, look. Doggie!” Elise brought her sister, Claire, over to meet Finn. Claire (age 4 ½) was still a bit groggy from anesthesia, but her interest and wonder in Finn was apparent. Finn first met Elise, who is the 23-month-old sister of Claire. Elise was drawn to Finn like a magnet. She squealed with delight […]

Healing Paws: Silverio, Ginetta and Finn

Posted January 26th, 2016

Silverio and Ginetta are from Montreal, Canada. Cancer has been part of their lives for some time. Silverio was first diagnosed over 5 years ago. He was doing well and had returned to his “normal” life when the cancer came back. He needed treatment he could only get in the US (proton therapy), so he […]

Catherine and Finn

Posted December 1st, 2015

“Finn is a sweetie pie…the best thing since sliced cheese.” says Catherine as she gets closer for some snuggles before her radiation treatment. Pet therapy has been a surprising source of support for Catherine and her caregiver, Woody. Catherine describes Finn as comforting and distracting. “He gives me something else to think about—I also see […]