Tuesdays with Worry: appreciating nature with a dog at the end of life

ABSTRACT

Dogs have been called ‘social lubricants’ for their uncanny ability to help people with serious illnesses and trauma find brief moments of catharsis, create meaningful relationships when there are none and connect with healthcare providers and other support team members for those with serious illnesses. In this paper, the therapeutic qualities of human–dog interactions will be demonstrated by focusing on one woman’s terminal cancer diagnosis while in end-of-life care through her shared leisure experiences with a dog in a natural environment. This auto/ethnography sought to exhibit the simple importance of a dog to the meaning-making process for someone coming to terms with their mortality. Complementary therapies and support are essential to those receiving medicalised care, but for those beyond the treatment stage, the important and necessary support is to be found in the relationships and activities that are of the most significance. As is demonstrated, dogs can provide this necessary kind of therapeutic support that may not be found elsewhere.

KEYWORDS:

• Dogs
• nature
• cancer
• palliative care
• leisure

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the author.

Notes

1. A pseudonym.

Additional information

Notes on contributors

Justin Harmon

Justin Harmon, PhD, is an assistant professor in the Department of Community and Therapeutic Recreation at the University of North Carolina Greensboro. His two primary research foci are the use of music for life course development and recreation interventions post-diagnosis of cancer. When not in the classroom he is typically found in the forest with his dog or at a concert.