Combination therapy?

Two articles in the December 10 US News and World Report caught my attention. “The Pet Prescription” describes the benefits dogs bring to sick people. Studies suggest that having a dog around can lower blood pressure and boost immunity.

“Better Snuff It Out” reports that half of smokers with cancer keep smoking or restart after stopping.

It got me thinking. Maybe cancer patients who smoke should be assigned dogs that are trained to snatch cigarettes from their hands. We might need a Medicare Demonstration Project to see if it works.