Impact of Human-Animal Interactions on Children With Life-Threatening Conditions and Their Parents

Objectives: * To examine the feasibility of human-animal interaction (HAI) sessions for children with a life threatening cancer and a primary caregiver, specifically to: * To identify and document necessary modifications for a safe and feasible intervention * To obtain recruitment estimates and determine potential recruitment barriers * To evaluate elements of implementation fidelity (design, training, delivery/receipt of treatment, enactment) * To verify safety * To determine the preliminary efficacy of human-animal interaction sessions: * On children with a life threatening cancer for the outcomes of qualify of life, anxiety, depression, worry, and pain * On caregivers of children with a life threatening cancer for the outcomes of stress and anxiety Exploratory Objective: \- To explore mechanisms (reduced salivary cortisol and urinary norepinephrine levels) associated with 8 weeks of human-animal interaction.