​ACS PAWS grants will fund hospital-based therapy dog programs. 

We all know puppies are cute, but did you know research shows they can also help ease common stressors for people facing cancer and their caregivers?

The American Cancer Society Pups Assisting with Support (PAWS) Facility Dog Grant Program aims to increase access to specially trained therapy dogs who work full-time to enhance the quality of life of patients with cancer and the people who matter most to them. 

Research indicates that animal-assisted therapy for cancer patients:  

• Decreases symptoms like anxiety, stress, depression, and pain, 
• Increases quality of life indicators, such as feelings of joy and calmness, positive memories from hospitalization, and an improved sense of well-being, 
• Decreases parenting stress,
  
• Is considered a safe and desirable intervention for children with cancer, and;
• Does not increase stress-related behaviors in therapy dogs.  

For phase one of the pilot PAWS initiative, the American Cancer Society (ACS) will provide six monetary grants of $8,000 each to pediatric oncology programs to support new or maintain existing facility dog projects for children with cancer. The grant period will last 12 months, beginning in September, which is Childhood Cancer Awareness Month and Dog Therapy Awareness Month.  

The grant program is limited to facility therapy dogs, that is, dogs who are full-time “employees” who go to work every day with their handler and utilize special skills and training in animal-assisted interventions to help achieve specific treatment or program goals. Volunteer-based visiting dog programs are not currently eligible. 

Those who are eligible to apply for the grants include children’s hospitals or general hospitals with a dedicated pediatric department and provide oncology services to children. Applicants must have an existing facility dog program or be receiving their first facility dog within the grant period. 

Additionally, the grant must be used toward maintaining the facility dog program, for example, covering veterinary costs, adoption of the dog, training of the handler or staff members, dog food, grooming, dog beds, dog toys, improving or maintaining dog facilities such as respite areas, and more. The deadline for applications is July 28, 2023. 

 “We are excited about this opportunity to increase access to the proven benefits of therapy dogs for children and families impacted by cancer,” said Dr. Laura Makaroff, ACS senior vice president for prevention and survivorship, pictured above with a soon-to-be therapy pup at Canine Assistants in Alpharetta, GA

Check out our post on LinkedIn and spread the word about this exciting pilot project! 

If you have questions regarding the ACS PAWS Program, please email acspaws@cancer.org or Maggie Rogers, director of pediatric, adolescent, and young adult cancer support at maggie.rogers@cancer.org.