Therapy Dogs Bring Comfort to Children with Cancer at CHUV

Two therapy dogs have recently joined the daily life of children hospitalized in the Pediatric Hematology-Oncology Unit at the Children’s Hospital of Lausanne University Hospital (CHUV). This pilot initiative — the first of its kind in Switzerland within a pediatric oncology unit — represents an important step forward in integrating complementary therapies to support the well-being of young patients.

The programme builds on CHUV’s broader effort to develop animal-assisted therapy, which has been progressively introduced in several hospital departments since late 2024 under the supervision of the Center for Integrative and Complementary Medicine.

Twice a week, therapy dogs Cookie, a cocker spaniel–Jack Russell mix, and Mary, a black Labrador, visit children in their hospital rooms. They are accompanied by their trained handlers: Sibylla Protze, a pediatric nurse, and Dr. Laurence Gani Janssen, a child psychiatrist and psychotherapist.

Participation is voluntary and carefully supervised by the medical team. Each session takes place with parental consent and only for patients who may benefit from the intervention. Strict safety protocols have been established to account for potential allergies, infection risks, or fear of animals. Animal welfare is also closely monitored, with limited working hours and dedicated rest areas for the dogs.

According to Professor Raffaele Renella, head of the Pediatric Hematology-Oncology Unit, animal-assisted therapy can significantly improve the hospital experience for young patients.

“Numerous scientific studies demonstrate the benefits of animal-assisted therapy in pediatric oncology. The presence of a therapy dog can provide comfort, reduce stress and pain, motivate children during treatment, and help them express difficult emotions,” he explains.

Early results from the programme have been highly encouraging. In some cases, children who had remained bedridden for weeks were motivated to get up to interact with the dogs. The presence of the animals has also helped facilitate conversations around emotionally difficult topics and provided valuable psychological support during challenging moments.

The first six months of the programme are funded by Zoé4life, a Swiss association supporting children and adolescents with cancer. CHUV hopes to secure additional funding to expand animal-assisted therapy to other pediatric units in the future.

By combining medical treatment with innovative supportive care approaches, the initiative reflects CHUV’s commitment to holistic pediatric care that addresses both physical and emotional well-being.

➡️ Source: Press Release | 📸 © CHUV 2026 – Alain Ganguillet