Mary Bird Perkins Cancer Center

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(Baton Rouge) - Among those in the waiting room of Mary Bird Perkins Cancer Center on Essen Lane in Baton Rouge on Tuesday afternoon, August 18, were three dogs and their handlers from the LSU School of Veterinary Medicine's Tiger HATS animal therapy program.

It was the launch of the integrative therapies initiative of the Cancer Program of Our Lady of the Lake and Mary Bird Perkins. This particular initiative, pet therapy, is believed by many professionals in the field of healthcare to play an important role for patients with various medical conditions. The four-legged guests at the Cancer Center were extremely popular and represented a cross section of breeds: Rocky, a Bernese Mountain Dog; Rolex, a Golden Retriever and Amigo, a Labrador retriever and a cancer survivor!

"Animal-assisted therapy is a favorite with both patients and staff," said Renea Duffin, vice president of Cancer Programs at Mary Bird Perkins. "As one patient said, "The dogs distract you from thinking about cancer, even if only for a few minutes.'"

Man's best friend will be visiting patients in the waiting room of the Center on the first Thursday and third Tuesday of every month. 

The Cancer Program of Our Lady of the Lake and Mary Bird Perkins is the most comprehensive cancer program in the region offering patients the convenience of receiving high-quality, advanced cancer care in one location, close to home. The Cancer Program offers surgery, chemotherapy and radiation and has been accredited by The American College of Surgeons since 1992 - the gold-standard for community-based cancer care. This program was selected for the prestigious National Cancer Institute (NCI) Community Cancer Centers Program (NCCCP) pilot. For more information on our cancer program and the NCCCP pilot, please visit www.ololrmc.com or www.marybird.org.

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