Support Animals for Cancer Patients
Support animals like dogs and cats can be a great source of comfort for people with lung cancer. These pets bring emotional and physical benefits to their owners. Learn more about support animals and how Lung Cancer Group can help you get compensation to afford one.
How Can Support Animals Help Cancer Patients?
Support animals can have incredible benefits for the health and well-being of lung cancer patients. Dealing with cancer can be very stressful, but the companionship of a cat, dog, or another animal can make patients feel better.
Emotional support and service animals help lung cancer patients by:
- Easing isolation and boredom
- Promoting socialization
- Lowering stress levels and blood pressure
- Giving them a sense of purpose
If you have lung cancer, you may qualify for compensation to cover treatment costs and the expenses of adopting or training an animal. Get started with our Free Lung Cancer Guide.
- Understand risk factors
- Find top treatments
- Pursue compensation
Types of Support Animals for Cancer Patients
Support pets fall under two main categories: service animals and emotional support animals (ESAs). Having either may be helpful to patients with lung cancer.
Service Animals for Cancer Patients
Service animals are typically dogs that undergo rigorous obedience and task training. They go beyond providing emotional support and perform specific duties to help you or a loved one.
Tasks service animals can help with include:
- Alerting others of emergency situations
- Pulling a wheelchair or other assistive devices with a harness
- Reminding cancer patients to take medications
Service dogs are not reactive to other animals or distracting situations. As a result, they can reliably care for you.
Emotional Support Animals for Cancer Patients
ESAs help manage mental health problems such as anxiety and depression. While not trained like a service animal, these pets still greatly help cancer patients.
Lung cancer, mesothelioma, and other cancers can be very stressful, and an ESA can relieve some of the emotional and mental strife. A doctor can certify that a pet is an ESA.
Which Animals Can Be Support Pets for Cancer Patients?
Any pet can be an emotional support animal with doctor approval.
Types of emotional support animals for cancer patients include:
- Birds
- Cats
- Dogs
- Ferrets
- Horses
- Mice
- Rats
Want to adopt a support animal after a lung cancer diagnosis? You may qualify for compensation to cover any fees and cancer-related expenses. Call (877) 446-5767 now.
How to Adopt Support Animals for Cancer Patients
How to adopt a support animal can vary depending on your needs.
For a service dog, you’ll need to meet requirements outlined by the Americans With Disabilities Act (ADA), such as a doctor’s note stating that you need one. You may face a long wait time since these dogs are in high demand. Getting a support animal is easier.
Here are the steps to follow for an ESA:
- Certify a pet as an ESA: List the reasons your pet needs to be certified as an ESA, such as how it helps you cope following a lung cancer diagnosis. If you don’t have a pet, you can adopt one from a local shelter.
- Receive approval from your doctor: Meet with your doctor to explain why you want your pet to be certified. They can sign a letter acting as a “prescription” for your support animal.
- Verify your ESA with a landlord: If you rent, present your ESA certification to your landlord. ESAs are covered under the Fair Housing Act, so you should be able to have one with no extra fees, even if there’s a “no pet” policy.
If you can’t or don’t want to adopt a support animal, ask your doctors about pet therapy. Many hospitals have pet therapy programs where animals will visit cancer patients to cheer them up and relieve stress.
“Visits from a therapy dog actually lower cancer patients’ blood pressure. It relieves their anxiety. Sometimes, when they’re going to have an IV or get a shot, I say ‘pet that therapy dog,’ and they don’t even think twice about what they have done.”
— Patti Hunsicker of the Arklatex Therapy Dogs program
What to Consider Before Getting Support Animals for Cancer Patients
Support animals can provide much-needed comfort and support if you have lung cancer. That said, you need to make sure a support pet will be best for you.
Here’s what to consider before adopting:
- Can you care for a support animal? Do you have the time, money, and energy to care for a pet? Can you get help caring for one?
- Are you or a family member allergic? A pet allergy can cause coughing, a runny nose, nasal congestion, and sneezing. If you’re allergic, talk to a doctor to see what options you might have.
- Do you have room? In particular, dogs need plenty of open spaces and regular exercise, or they might become destructive.
- Does the pet’s personality fit your lifestyle? For example, if you prefer a relaxed lifestyle, an energetic breed might not be a good option.
- Will your new animal get along with other pets? Allow plenty of time for other animals you own to adjust if you get a new pet.
We can help you seek lung cancer compensation so you can afford a support animal and the costs of medical treatment. Get our Free Lung Cancer Guide to learn more.
- Understand risk factors
- Find top treatments
- Pursue compensation
Get Help Affording Support Animals for Cancer Patients
ESAs and service animals can help you manage life while fighting lung cancer or another serious illness. The companionship and love of a pet is incredibly helpful.
If you or someone you love has lung cancer and is interested in getting a service animal, reach out to Lung Cancer Group.
Our caring team is here to help you better understand a lung cancer diagnosis and pursue compensation for service animals and treatments.
Call (877) 446-5767 or get a Free Lung Cancer Guide now to see how we can assist you.
Lung Cancer Support Animals FAQs
Where can you take support animals for cancer patients?
You can take service dogs almost anywhere, like on airplanes, to classrooms or schools, restaurants, and your workplace.
Emotional support animals may not be allowed everywhere you go. For example, changes to U.S. travel laws passed in 2021 mean that ESAs are no longer allowed on airplanes. Check before traveling to see if an ESA can come with you.
What do service dogs do for cancer patients?
Emotional support animals can help patients lower blood pressure and stress simply by being present together.
Some service dogs can even alert others if their owner is in an emergency situation or remind them to take medications.
What is the best companion dog for cancer patients?
The best companion or therapy dog for cancer patients depends on the patient’s preferences and personality.
While breeds vary, it is important to consider temperament when adopting a dog for emotional support. For example, if you can’t be as active through lung cancer treatment, a calm or low-energy dog might be better.
Can insurance cover the adoption cost for my support animal?
Health insurance may not cover the adoption cost for your support animal. Thankfully, other programs can help you afford one.
For example, you may qualify to work with Lung Cancer Group to get compensation that can be used for any expenses, including support animal adoption fees. Call (877) 446-5767 now.
