Blair's New Service Dog is Too Cute for Words
- Actress Selma Blair, 49, has multiple sclerosis (MS), and she has introduced her new service dog, Scout, to the world; “He is an English red fox lab and is very good at his job,” she writes on Instagram.
- Scout is an MS therapy dog; many people with mental or physical health issues, including cancer, use therapy dogs. Cancer therapy dogs provide comfort and positivity and help ease a person’s anxiety when going through cancer treatment.
- MS is a disease in which the immune system eats away at the protective covering of the body's nerves; Blair has used chemotherapy to treat it.
Many people with a mental or physical health issue get service dogs to help them move through the world with greater ease. And Blair is no different. She introduced Scout to fans and followers on social media yesterday, writing, “It has been a year and a half in the making, but today my new partner, Scout, and I graduated ! We are now a service dog team. Thank you to his trainer Courtney and the whole team at @servicedogs_ddg Scout helps me with some personal stumbling blocks and aids in my mobility.”
Read MoreView this post on InstagramShe continues to say, “He is very handsome, and friendly, but if you see me and Scout, and we are working (which he really always is, as am I) then give a smile but please don't approach.”
“If you see me down, do not worry, Scout has me covered.”
Blair explains her request, saying, “Distractions really set me back. I am building stamina and coordination with the aid of this special dog and training! I am excited for this time to focus and settle and get out of the house more. I am so happy to have him. And will share news with you as we evolve. If you see me down, do not worry, Scout has me covered. Literally actually. I send you all love and happy holidays!!!!”
What Does a Cancer Therapy Dog Do?
Cancer therapy dogs are trained to help people with cancer feel better emotionally and physically. A cancer therapy dog helps a person going through cancer treatment by reducing anxiety and lifting a person’s mood. In short, cancer therapy dogs primarily provide comfort and support through cancer.
Related: National Dog Day 2021: How Do Our Furry Friends Help Cancer Patients?
Studies show that spending time with dogs lowers a person’s blood pressure and the stress hormone, cortisol. Therapy dogs may help with pain management, too, as time with dogs can trigger a release of endorphins which mitigate pain and discomfort.
Anecdotal evidence from SurvivorNet’s experts says that having a positive mood through cancer can benefit treatment. And scientific evidence around depression and cancer show that treating depression positively impacts cancer treatment. This is where aids like cancer therapy dogs can play a tremendous role. However, for more severe cases of anxiety and depression, speak to a psychologist before pursuing treatment or support from a furry friend.
Jane Kopelman, who heads up Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center’s Caring Canine Program, said during a previous interview that they're hoping to get more pups involved in the program because patients request them so often.
"What most patients say, and studies have proven, is that the dogs reduce anxiety, reduce depression, and they give people a sense of hopethey often motivate people," Kopelman said. "Patients have said that they were so eager to have the dogs come that it motivated them to get up."
The dogs can visit patients who are in the hospital after undergoing surgery and also visit outpatient locations where patients may be undergoing treatment like chemotherapy.
If you’re interested in pursuing a cancer therapy dog, speak with your doctor about next steps, or organizations to connect with that train these types of dogs. Note that waiting lists for service dogs tend to be long and their training period is long, too, so time is of the essence if you wish to get a service dog.
Pet Therapy Can Really Help During Cancer Treatment: "It Takes Me Out of My World"
Blair’s MS Fight & Treatment
Blair was diagnosed with MS in 2018. This disease causes the immune system to eat away at the protective covering of the body's nerves. MS disrupts communication between the brain and the body. Symptoms of the disease can include vision loss, pain, fatigue, and impaired coordination. Blair uses her cane to support her through the effects of MS.
Following her diagnosis, Blair took to Instagram to share the news with fans and followers. In a 2018 post discussing her illness, she wrote candidly: "I have multiple sclerosis. I am in an exacerbation…I am disabled…"
She wrote to fans, "…I fall sometimes. I drop things. My memory is foggy. And my left side is asking for directions from a broken gps. But we are doing it. And I laugh and I don't know exactly what I will do precisely but I will do my best. Since my diagnosis at ten thirty pm on The night of August 16, I have had love and support from my friends…" Blair has used chemotherapy, a common treatment for cancer, to treat her MS.
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