Animal-Facilitated Therapy Program: Outcomes from Caring Canines, a Program for Patients and Staff on an Inpatient Surgical Oncology Unit

The Role of Animal-Assisted Therapy in Enhancing Patients' Well-Being: Systematic Study of the Qualitative and Quantitative Evidence

Background

Animal-assisted therapy, also known as pet therapy, is a therapeutic intervention that involves animals to enhance the well-being of individuals across various populations and settings.

Objective

This systematic study aims to assess the outcomes of animal-assisted therapy interventions and explore the associated policies.

Methods

A total of 16 papers published between 2015 and 2023 were selected for analysis. These papers were chosen based on their relevance to the research topic of animal-assisted therapy and their availability in scholarly databases. Thematic synthesis and meta-analysis were used to synthesize the qualitative and quantitative data extracted from the selected papers.

Results

The analysis included 16 studies that met the inclusion criteria and were deemed to be of moderate or higher quality. Among these studies, 4 demonstrated positive results for therapeutic mediation and one for supportive mediation in psychiatric disorders. Additionally, all studies showed positive outcomes for depression and neurological disorders. Regarding stress and anxiety, 3 studies indicated supportive mediation, while 2 studies showed activating mediation.

Conclusions

The overall assessment of animal-assisted therapy shows promise as an effective intervention in promoting well-being among diverse populations. Further research and the establishment of standardized outcome assessment measures and comprehensive policies are essential for advancing the field and maximizing the benefits of animal-assisted therapy.

Lower Emotional Exhaustion among Employees Is Associated with Intentional Incorporation of Animals into Residential Care Settings

Secondary effects of animal-integrated programming on residential care center (RCC) staff and organizational culture are not well understood. We explored emotional exhaustion among RCC employees both in facilities that incorporated animals and those that did not incorporate animals into the therapeutic environment. We conducted a survey throughout a large midwestern RCC system in the United States to determine relationships between organizational culture, emotional exhaustion, and the intentionality by which animals were incorporated into programming. Data were analyzed by examining associations between variables of interest using chi-square or t-tests, and linear mixed-effects modeling was used to identify potential confounding effects due to differences in children served within RCCs. Staff from RCCs that used animals intentionally reported lower emotional exhaustion (p = 0.006), and higher average workplace safety (p = 0.024) and psychological safety (p < 0.001). Integrating animals into RCC programming is associated with elements of a strong organizational culture. It is possible that animal-integrated programming has a positive impact on the facility culture and workforce, and/or that RCCs with strong pre-existing cultures are more likely to use animal-integrated programming.

Consensus Statement on Animals’ Relationship with Pediatric Oncohematological Patients, on Behalf of Infectious Diseases and Nurse Working Groups of the Italian Association of Pediatric Hematology-Oncology

Contact with animals in pediatric oncohematologic patients is associated with many benefits, but the risk of contracting zoonoses, even if low, must be considered by clinicians. In order to assess the awareness about this topic, we surveyed the Italian pediatric oncohematology centers, which resulted in heterogeneous responses. The Infectious Diseases Working Group and the Nurse Working Group of the Italian Association of Pediatric Hematology-Oncology, together with veterinarians from the National Federation of Italian Veterinarians, drew up a consensus document to unify the indications to be given to families with the aim of guaranteeing a safe interaction between patients and animals and improving the collaboration of clinicians with veterinarians and families.

The Impact of Therapy Dogs on Prelicensure Baccalaureate Nursing Student Test Anxiety

AIM

This study examined the impact of a therapy dog intervention on baccalaureate nursing student test anxiety.

BACKGROUND

Nursing student test anxiety may hinder academic performance and program outcomes. Considering this negative impact, it is essential to implement anxiety-reducing strategies. Interaction with therapy dogs is linked with test anxiety reduction; however, minimal studies have explored this topic.

METHOD

A pretest/posttest quasi-experimental design was used to examine the impact of a therapy dog intervention on test anxiety. Repeated measures included the State-Trait Anxiety Inventory, heart rate, and cortisol levels. The multisite convenience sample included 91 junior-level prelicensure BSN students.

RESULTS

The intervention had a statistically significant impact on test anxiety reduction, noted by a decrease in State-Trait Anxiety Inventory scores, heart rate, and salivary cortisol levels ( p = .00).

CONCLUSION

Therapy dog interactions are an effective strategy to reduce test anxiety. The findings from this study may assist educators to implement future interventions.

Exploring the implementation of child life services with facility dogs

Many children's hospitals around the United States have programs in which a trained facility dog goes to work daily with a psychosocial healthcare worker, typically a Certified Child Life Specialist (CCLS). CCLSs help children and their families cope with the stress of a healthcare experience by utilizing evidence-based, developmentally appropriate interventions. The purpose of this study was to explore how CCLSs incorporate facility dogs into their treatments and gain their perspectives on handling a facility dog. Participants, four CCLSs, completed a checklist, which assessed patients seen by facility dogs for 10 workdays, and a semi-structured interview. Participants primarily saw patients of ages three to five years and aided with general anxiety and coping support. Findings indicated the dog's specific training, therapeutic value, and ability to bond with patients allowed these interactions to be successful and impactful. This study provides information about the benefits of facility dogs for child life programs and presents data for programs that are considering incorporating this therapeutic modality into their services offered.

A Correlational Study Exploring Nurse Work Anxiety and Animal-Assisted Therapy

OBJECTIVE

The aim of this study was to perform a correlational study to explore nurse work anxiety.

BACKGROUND

Nurses experience work anxiety with chronic stressful situations, high-acuity assignments, and rigorous patient care standards. The purpose of this study was to determine whether animal-assisted therapy during active worked hours would reduce nurse work-related anxiety.

METHODS

Animal-assisted therapy interventions were performed for both day and night shifts. Beck's Anxiety Inventory (BAI) tool was used pre and post intervention. Each nurse interacted with the therapy dog for at least 10 minutes.

RESULTS

Pet-assisted therapy as an intervention for nurses during work reduced work-related anxiety (t = 5.878, P < 0.05). A Pearson's correlational study displayed a strong positive correlation between the animal-assisted therapy and reduction in BAI scores (r = 0.7717, R2 = 0.5955).

CONCLUSION

This prospective study has shown that nurse work anxiety significantly decreased during worked hours of active bedside care when the nurses actively engaged with a therapy dog.

Animal-Assisted Intervention and Health Care Workers’ Psychological Health: A Systematic Review of the Literature

Healthcare settings have recently increased the use of companion animals in the workplace to provide emotional support to people with disabilities, but there is limited empirical research on the effects of these programs on healthcare workers. However, it is reasonable to speculate that Animal-Assisted Interventions (AAIs) may have positive effects on health care workers (HCWs) by buffering the negative effects of work-related stress and other occupational psychosocial risk factors. The aim of this review was to examine the beneficial effects of AAIs on the psychological well-being of HCWs. A systematic review was conducted in December 2021 to gain insight into the positive effects of pets on HCWs in the workplace. Searches were conducted in the following databases: Scopus, PubMed/Medline, Web of Science, and Google Scholar, including studies between 2001 and December 2021, and 12 articles were included in the review. The results indicate that implementing the AAI program in a busy clinic is feasible and that the program is accepted by medical professionals because of the immense psychological benefits it provides. However, the healthcare professionals disliked the experimental design that forced them to leave their workplaces at a certain time.

Evaluating Advanced Practice Nurses' Burnout and Potential Helping Modalities

Health care providers are experiencing increased stress during the coronavirus disease 2019 pandemic. While it is understood that increased stress leads to burnout, limited research has been conducted to evaluate advance practice nurse response to coronavirus disease 2019, and more specifically, self-identified modalities that may decrease stress in the workplace or at home. This pilot study evaluated advance practice nurse-perceived burnout and evaluated perceived needs and/or perception of modalities aimed at reducing stress and improving well-being, such as essential oils, quiet room, soothing music, art therapy, pet therapy, and mobile applications, that could be easily accessed in the workplace.

Pet therapy in the emergency department and ambulatory care: A systematic review and meta-analysis

BACKGROUND

Pet therapy, or animal-assisted interventions (AAIs), has demonstrated positive effects for patients, families, and health care providers (HCPs) in inpatient settings. However, the evidence supporting AAIs in emergency or ambulatory care settings is unclear. We conducted a systematic review to evaluate the effectiveness of AAIs on patient, family, and HCP experience in these settings.

METHODS

We searched (from inception to May 2020) Medline, Embase, Cochrane CENTRAL, PsycINFO, and CINAHL, plus gray literature, for studies assessing AAIs in emergency and ambulatory care settings on: (1) patient and family anxiety/distress or pain and (2) HCP stress. Screening, data extraction, and quality assessment were done in duplicate with conflicts adjudicated by a third party. Random-effects meta-analyses are reported as mean differences (MDs) or standardized mean differences (SMDs) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs), as appropriate.

RESULTS

We included nine randomized controlled trials (RCTs; 341 patients, 146 HCPs, 122 child caregivers), four before-after (83 patients), and one mixed-method study (124 patients). There was no effect across three RCTs measuring patient-reported anxiety/distress (n = 380; SMD = -0.36, 95% CI = -0.95 to 0.23, I²  = 81%), while two before-after studies suggested a benefit (n = 80; SMD = -1.95, 95% CI = -2.99 to -0.91, I²  = 72%). Four RCTs found no difference in measures of observed anxiety/distress (n = 166; SMD = -0.44, 95% CI = -1.01 to 0.13, I²  = 73%) while one before-after study reported a significant benefit (n = 60; SMD = -1.64, 95% CI = -2.23 to -1.05). Three RCTs found no difference in patient-reported pain (n = 202; MD = -0.90, 95% CI = -2.01 to 0.22, I²  = 68%). Two RCTs reported positive but nonsignificant effects on HCP stress.

CONCLUSIONS

Limited evidence is available on the effectiveness of AAIs in emergency and ambulatory care settings. Rigorous studies using global experience-oriented (or patient-identified) outcome measures are required.

A Systematic Literature Review of Animal-Assisted Interventions in Oncology (Part I): Methods and Results

Animal-assisted interventions (AAIs) use human-animal interactions to positive effect in various contexts including cancer care. As the first installment of a 2-part series, this systematic literature review focuses on the research methods and quantitative results of AAI studies in oncology. We find methodological consistency in the use of canines as therapy animals, in the types of high-risk patients excluded from studies, and in the infection precautions taken with therapy animals throughout cancer wards. The investigated patient endpoints are not significantly affected by AAI, with the exceptions of improvements in oxygen consumption, quality of life, depression, mood, and satisfaction with therapy. The AAI field in oncology has progressed significantly since its inception and has great potential to positively affect future patient outcomes. To advance the field, future research should consistently improve the methodological design of studies, report data more completely, and focus more on the therapy animal’s well-being.

A Systematic Literature Review of Animal-Assisted Interventions in Oncology (Part II): Theoretical Mechanisms and Frameworks

Animal-assisted interventions (AAIs) can improve patients' quality of life as complementary medical treatments. Part I of this 2-paper systematic review focused on the methods and results of cancer-related AAIs; Part II discusses the theories of the field's investigators. Researchers cite animal personality, physical touch, physical movement, distraction, and increased human interaction as sources of observed positive outcomes. These mechanisms then group under theoretical frameworks such as the social support hypothesis or the human-animal bond concept to fully explain AAI in oncology. The cognitive activation theory of stress, the science of unitary human beings, and the self-object hypothesis are additional frameworks mentioned by some researchers. We also discuss concepts of neurobiological transduction connecting mechanisms to AAI benefits. Future researchers should base study design on theories with testable hypotheses and use consistent terminology to report results. This review aids progress toward a unified theoretical framework and toward more holistic cancer treatments.