A frightening diagnosis can steal the air from a room. Nicole’s story gives it back. From the shock of hearing “breast cancer” to the rhythm of surgery, sixteen chemo infusions and now the daily focus of radiation, she lets us into the real work of getting through it: making plans, asking for help and finding bright spots inside the hard days. As a mother of two and a community leader, she talks candidly about fear, the weight of uncertainty and the simple rituals that brought her peace.

Those bright spots include a calm, golden-furred constant: April Sweetie, a therapy dog who turns infusion rooms into gentler spaces. With handler Larry, April visits cancer centers, ICUs and children’s hospitals, offering a few minutes of ease to patients and the clinicians who care for them. We explore how therapy animals reduce anxiety and boost morale for healthcare teams who often need support as much as the people they treat. April’s own journey from a breeding farm to hospital hallways mirrors the transformation that happens when care becomes truly human.

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