Issue link: https://viewer.e-digitaledition.com/i/905725
health C ancer patients can experi- ence a variety of emotions as they undergo treatment — depression due to great- er isolation; boredom as they spend long hours in the chemotherapy infusion chair; and a sense of help- lessness because of their diagnosis. Panaceas exist, however, in the form of creatures with four legs, sparkling eyes and soft fur. Beth Davidson of Birmingham provides such a pan- acea with her Schnoodle Connor, a mixed-breed dog with physical and behavioral traits of a Poodle and Schnauzer. Davidson regularly visits the Karmanos Cancer Institute's Weisberg Cancer Treatment Center in Farmington Hills, where Connor spends time with patients, their families and staff in the wait- ing areas, the infusion center and staff offices. "It's an incredibly calming fac- tor, having a pet," said Davidson, who worked for more than 35 years as a banker and mortgage manager before her retirement. "It's rewarding for me and com- bines with what I wanted to do when I retired. I wanted to do more to give back." Davidson has owned Connor, now 8 years old, since he was 4 months old. Connor went through formal therapy dog training two years ago with Therapy Dogs International, a volunteer organi- zation that regulates, tests and registers therapy dogs and their volunteer handlers to visit nursing homes and hospitals or wherever thera- py dogs are needed. Connor not only pro- vides comfort to patients at Karmanos, he also vis- its people at JVS' "Caring Companions" adult day care program, JVS' Brown Jewish Community Adult Day Program in West Bloomfield and Kadima, a mental health services agency. "Connor is very accepting and loves to be petted," Davidson said. "He gives lots of kisses and he's just very affectionate. Connor is a people dog. He enjoys being with people." Pet therapy is the latest addition to the Leah A. Davidson Healing Arts Program at Karmanos. Other free, complementary programs include art therapy, Tai Chi, mas- sage, yoga, Reiki, guided imagery, a children's art therapy program and meditation. Davidson, who provides therapy dog services on a volunteer basis, is married to Jeff Davidson, who was married to Leah for 41 years. Leah passed away from leukemia in December of 2011. She was a Karmanos patient who wanted to leave a legacy of caring for cancer patients. Thus, the Leah A. Davidson Healing Arts Fund was established at Karmanos after her passing. The fund supports the healing arts programs. "Relieving stress is a primary goal of the Healing Arts Program," said Kathleen Hardy, oncology social worker at Karmanos. "There are proven benefits to having an emotional support ani- mal in the cancer center and/or in the patient's home. They provide companionship and affection. Animals can sense your emotional state and will stay by your side. Just gazing into a pet's eyes can trigger a flood of feel-good emo- tions." Hardy mentioned that the fund provides financial support to can- cer patients who wish to have a cat or dog to provide emotional support but cannot afford to make the purchase. The fund has so far assisted two patients with the pur- chase of animals. Zoe Marcus, a head and neck cancer patient who comes to Karmanos for regular checkups, said that her own emotional thera- py dog Zeke, whom she purchased herself, helped lift her from the dark place she found herself in when she was diagnosed with cancer. "My focus changed immediately from my health issues to my pup's needs," she said. "He was only 10 weeks old and 2.2 pounds when he came to live with me as a ther- apy animal. He was a true baby who needed care 24/7," she said. "There was no time to focus on myself, at least not to the extent of hyper-focusing on cancer. It was a welcome distraction. "Holding and cuddling Zeke gave me a sense of calm I hadn't experienced in a very long time. I noticed right away that my fear was at a much lower level. I could breathe easier, all from just being physically close to Zeke." Therapy dogs like Connor not only bring joy to cancer patients and their families, owners of therapy dogs derive pleasure from them, too, as Davidson observed. "I knew Connor had the ability to give back and to bring joy to people's lives," she said. "Spending time with him while he gives back brings joy to me. This work is tre- mendously fulfilling to me." • Elizabeth Katz is the manager of exter- nal marketing & communications at the Barbara Ann Karmanos Cancer Institute. Therapy dog brings joy, comfort to cancer patients and others. ABOVE: Beth Davidson, left, interacts with cancer patient Kay Snyder, who enjoys spending time with Beth's emotional support dog Connor. ELIZABETH KATZ SPECIAL TO THE JEWISH NEWS Anyone wishing to contribute to the Leah A. Davidson Healing Arts Fund can go to karmanos.org/leahfund. Checks can also be mailed to the Karmanos Cancer Institute, Leah A. Davidson Fund, Code VE01FS, 4100 John R, Detroit, MI 48201. For more information about Karmanos, call 1-800-KARMANOS (1-800-527-6266) or visit karmanos.org. For information about supportive services at Karmanos, contact Kathleen Hardy at (248) 538-4712 or email her at hardyk@karmanos.org. SEAN COOK A Furry Friend 56 November 23 • 2017 jn Organ Donor Shabbat Temple Shir Shalom in West Bloomfield will be cen- ter stage for an incred- ible event at 7:30 p.m. Friday, Dec. 1, as it hosts Organ Donor Shabbat. Alicia and Michael Stillman, whose daugh- ter Emily passed away from the effects of meningitis in 2013 and who have since started the Emily Stillman Foundation, will speak to the congrega- tion. An addi- tional speaker is Ian Burnstein, a recent kidney transplant recipient, whose father Gary founded the Gary Burnstein Community Health Clinic in Pontiac in 2004 to provide health care for the uninsured and indigent. The clinic pro- vides primary free health care and dental services for low- income individuals and their families. Although Dr. Burnstein died several years ago, his family continues to operate the clinic and care for the same families he had provided for. Additionally, Amy Silverstein of New York, who has received two donor hearts and is the author of the best-selling book My Glory, will talk about the importance of being an organ donor. Temple Shir Shalom is locat- ed at 3999 Walnut Lake Road at the corner of Orchard Lake Road. All are welcome.• Emily Stillman Ian and Gary Burnstein Amy Silverstein