pets
In Sickness and in Health Animal oncologist Dr . Renée Alsarraf tells us what dogs can teach their people WRITTEN BY CINDY SCHWEICHHANDLER
Many doctors have written about the life lessons they learned from their patients . Add Dr . Renée Alsarraf to that list .
When Alsarraf was diagnosed with endometrial cancer in 2018 , she reflected on former cancer patients who ’ d shown her how to live with grace during their illnesses . Four years later and inremission , she has authored abook onthe subject , with chapters devoted to the wisdom each patient imparts — chapters with names like “ Bentley ,” “ Cosmo ,” and “ Franny and Lucky .”
In Sit , Stay , Heal : What Dogs Can Teach UsAbout Living Well ( out Oct . 18 from HarperCollins ), Alsarraf , aveterinary oncologist and medical director of PetCure Oncology in Clifton , weaves her own story through accounts of her work with beloved pets . We talked to Alsarraf about how she got into this specialized area of animal care , what it ’ s like acting with own- ers during vulnerable moments , and
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what dogs know that humans need to understand d .
DELIGHTED BY DOGS Dr . Renée Alsarraf , an animal oncologist , has owned boxers for 40 years .
COURTESY OF RENÉE ALSARRAF
12 FALL 2022 WAYNE MAGAZINE