Along with drips of chemotherapy drugs, Minnesota Oncology’s Maplewood Cancer Clinic gives patients a little dose of love through an innovative pet therapy program.  If you’ve battled the disease—or supported a loved one through the difficult treatment, you know that a positive attitude is nearly as important as the medicine.  The Delta Society is committed to booster that positive attitude.

Paesano is a member of the “Delta Society” which is an organization that trains animals for therapy use. Paesano went through basic obedience training and a twelve hour advanced session.

Paesano, a young yellow lab and his owner, Laura Fruci, are one of six teams that rotate shifts to chat with patients for a couple of hours each session.

Elizabeth brought her Westie, Henry to the clinic to participate in a therapy session.  Henry may not have the proper training, but he certainly has enough charm to bring smiles to the patients’ faces.

While some people are not dog people, the majority of the patients love the pet therapy program because it brings hope, light and allows them to take their minds away from treatment for awhile.