This Childhood Cancer Awareness Month, we’re sharing more about how Spread a Smile supports the needs of children with cancer beyond clinical care.
One initiative which is doing just that is our therapy dog work supporting physiotherapy sessions for young oncology patients receiving treatment at the University College London Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust (UCLH), Proton Beam Therapy (PBT) department.
Physiotherapy plays an important part in the treatment of cancer, helping to manage pain and the physical side effects that come with a diagnosis, including mobility issues and physical weakness.
Medical procedures and treatment plans can be extremely scary for a child or young person, but by introducing therapy dogs, the aim is to help them to relax and find a fun way to engage with physiotherapy goals. Therapy dog Harry, along with owner Tara visit the PBT department at UCLH every other week, supporting the physiotherapy team and oncology patients with physiotherapy goals and activities.
Izzy MacCallum, Team Lead Physiotherapist, Proton Beam Therapy said, “The therapy dogs have been a wonderful addition to our physiotherapy and occupational therapy sessions. The therapy dogs enable us to work with children on their fine motor skills when reaching for treats, their coordination when brushing and stroking the dogs, their balance and confidence mobilising when walking them and their strength when playing fetch and kicking the ball to the dogs. It brings joy not just to the children, but also to their parents and the staff!”
Jennah’s Mum, Rubeka, shared how physio sessions joined by one of our therapy dogs helped her daughter after brain surgery to remove a Medulloblastoma left Jennah with balance and mobility issues in her left arm and leg:
“Over time, with physio, Jennah started to walk with a walker. During therapy dog visits, Jennah was encouraged to use her restricted arm to brush the dog, Buddy’s, fur, and it was so motivating, but in a fun and casual way. Then one day whilst Jennah was playing with Buddy, she just started to run after Buddy, leaving her walker behind and walking independently. It was an incredible moment which I will never forget.”
Spread a Smile’s mission is to be there for as many children and young people like Jennah as possible. Laura Walter, Spread a Smile Director of Services said, “Rehabilitation is an essential part of the treatment pathway for a child or young person diagnosed with cancer and the process can be challenging, particularly for young children. It’s wonderful that the our therapy dogs and their owners are able to support the physiotherapy and occupational therapy sessions for children receiving Proton Beam therapy in a fun and enjoyable way that can make a real positive difference.”
With the 2026 NHS National Cancer Plan for England acknowledging for the first time that children and young people living with cancer have unique needs that extend beyond just clinical care, our work across our 39 NHS partners is even more important than ever.
Spread a Smile is committed to supporting seriously ill children and their families across the country with positivity, fun and laughter, during some of the most difficult times of their life.
Please consider making a donation to ensure we can continue our vital work when it’s needed most.
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