Actor Val Kilmer, 63, remembers his beloved buffalo he nicknamed “James Brown” for his tendency to prance around on full moon-lit nights on his New Mexico ranch in a social media post.
While Kilmer resorted to art therapy while working through throat cancer, some cancer patients find solace in pet therapy.
Studies, including at least one done at Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, have shown that patients and their families report lower stress levels when they spend time around the dogs. Though the results are primarily anecdotal rather than statistically significant, those who have witnessed the benefits of pet visits say the benefits are clear.
Kilmer dealt with throat cancer nearly a decade ago after discovering a lump in his throat. His recovery was grueling and impacted his ability to speak. As a treatment, Kilmer underwent chemotherapy and a tracheotomy procedure.
Turning to art, such as music, painting, or dancing, may be therapeutic for cancer patients, aiding their recovery. Research involving cancer patients who used art to cope showed they may experience “decreased depression, anxiety, drowsiness, and tiredness.”
Actor Val Kilmer, 63, widely known for his role in the ‘80s film “Top Gun,” once had a hoard of buffalo on his New Mexico ranch. Among his four-legged beasts was one buffalo in particular he named James Brown. Like the famous singer, Kilmer says the horned animal was the “Godfather of Soul.” Kilmer claimed he would often dance under bright, shiny moonlight during winter without skipping a beat.
Kilmer’s connection to animals was bolstered while living in New Mexico during the 1990s. According to Architectural Digest, Kilmer purchased the property in the state, and a sizable amount of land came with it. While modifying his home, he had a stable and an outdoor compound built “specifically for a family of buffalo.”
The pack’s leader was the 1500-pound James Brown, “rocking and pronking with the agility of his namesake whenever the moon is full.”
While Kilmer doesn’t give detailed insight on the status of his dearest buffalo, he said in a caption, “I miss my buffalo. He was my oldest friend in Santa Fe.”
While Kilmer’s friendship with James Brown emerged during the 1990s, roughly a decade later, he would find himself battling throat cancer. Although he turned to art to help him cope with his cancer journey, some cancer patients find solace in animals and pets.
Dr. Ann Berger is a physician and researcher at the National Institute of Health (NIH) Clinical Center in Bethesda, Maryland. She encourages animals as a source of therapy for cancer patients.
“The foundations of mindfulness include attention, intention, compassion, and awareness…All of those things are things that animals bring to the table. People kind of have to learn it. Animals do this innately,” Bergan said, according to the National Institute of Health.
Studies are ongoing to determine animal therapy’s more definite impact on patients battling a disease. The NIH is taking part in some of these studies.
“We’re trying to tap into the subjective quality of the relationship with the animal that part of the bond that people feel with animals and how that translates into some of the health benefits,” said Dr. James Griffin, a child development expert at NIH.
Dogs are commonly used to help both children and adults. Therapy dogs have been proven to help children diagnosed with ADHD focus more. Adults can also experience benefits, including cancer patients like Richard Marks.
WATCH: Richard Marks meets Bowie while undergoing chemotherapy.
SurvivorNet previously spoke with Marks, who battled bone marrow cancer. While undergoing chemotherapy, he had a rescue dog named Bowie by his side.
“When I’m doing chemotherapy, I’m waiting, and time goes by. Maybe I’m worrying about my numbers or how treatment is going. And suddenly a cute little dog goes by, then I’m not thinking about those things,” Richard told SurvivorNet.
“I’m only thinking about that dog,” Marks added.
Studies, including at least one done at Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, have shown that patients and their families report lower stress levels when they spend time around the dogs. Though the results are primarily anecdotal rather than statistically significant, those who have witnessed the benefits of pet visits say the benefits are clear.
“We had many patients who were having a hard time getting out of bed after having abdominal surgery,” a nurse practitioner at MSK, Mary Montefusco, said. “But when they heard the dogs were on the way, they wanted to get up and sit in a chair so it would be easier to pet them.”
Kopelman explained, “The biggest benefit is [the patients] feel less anxious, they feel calmer, and they’re able to go through a very stressful experience.”
Kilmer’s Cancer Journey
Val Kilmer was diagnosed with throat cancer in 2014. In an interview with The New York Times, Kilmer did not immediately see his doctor for symptoms associated with his throat cancer.
He told the outlet he felt a “big lump in his throat” in 2014. After waking up in a “pool of his own blood,” he was convinced to see his doctor, who confirmed his cancer diagnosis.
Throat cancer is cancer that develops in your throat or voice box.
@valkilmerofficial
“[Throat] cancer can cause symptoms in the throat including sore throat, pain with swallowing, difficulty swallowing, the sensation of a lump or mass in the throat, ear pain, and less commonly voice changes, hoarseness or difficulty opening the jaw,” Dr. Ryan Hughes, a radiation oncologist at Wake Forest School of Medicine, previously told SurvivorNet.
“In the majority of patients, [throat cancer] does not cause symptoms in the throat but instead first presents with an otherwise asymptomatic mass in the neck,” Dr. Hughes added.
According to the National Cancer Institute, head and neck cancers make up nearly “4 percent” of all cancers in the U.S. The human papillomavirus (HPV) is a risk factor for head and neck cancers as well as alcohol consumption. Common symptoms of throat cancer include experiencing pain while swallowing and ringing in the ears.
WATCH: What to Know About HPV and the Vaccine.
“Because of the radiation and chemotherapy interventions, my voice and throat were severely damaged. It isn’t easy to talk and be understood,” Kilmer said.
The famous actor underwent chemotherapy to help treat the cancer. He also underwent a tracheotomy procedure, which had an impact on his ability to speak. This procedure connects the windpipe to a hole in the front of your neck.
