The Healing Power of Therapy Dogs by Jennifer Allen

For the past few years, Lynx has been a regular at UTSW’s Simmons Cancer Center in Dallas. She can be found most Mondays visiting faculty, staff, caregivers, and patients throughout the building. This past Monday, Lynx met a new friend while waiting for the elevator. As this patient emerged from the elevator, she spotted Lynx and immediately asked to pet her. Phones emerged and the patient chatted with Lynx and snapped selfies. She hugged Lynx (a willing participant for snuggles) and declared this to be the best day.

Lynx completed her visits, and we returned home. Later, I happened to check social media and found that the patient posted her experience with Lynx. She said, “There is something to be said about therapy dogs. The sheer joy and peace these gentle, magnificent creatures bring to people around them is priceless! A routine trip to UTSW Cancer Center today turned into a very happy, positive experience for me. As I was leaving the building after my visit, I saw this beautiful darling girl, Lynx, who looked so lovingly at me. I just had to spend a few minutes hugging and cuddling with her – it made my day, heck – my week and my year! She gave me so much happiness and joy in those few moments…it’s indescribable!”

It might be easy to overlook the impact of these dogs on the people they encounter.  It is moments like these that make us honored to be part of this shared experience.