Journal
CLINICAL NURSING RESEARCH
Volume 30, Issue 4, Pages 401-405Publisher
SAGE PUBLICATIONS INC
DOI: 10.1177/1054773820977198
Keywords
complementary therapies; acute care setting; health promotion
Categories
Funding
- Magellan fund
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The study explored the effects of the AAT dog visitation program on patients, showing a significant reduction in anxiety levels, heart and respiratory rates, and improved subjective feelings of comfort and well-being.
Animal assisted therapy (AAT) programs are popular and there has been a proliferation of programs across settings. However, the research to support this intervention has not kept pace. This is particularly so for people who are hospitalized. This investigation aimed to explore the effects of the AAT dog visitation program on patients. A single group pre-post quasi-experimental design evaluated the effect of pet therapy on patients. Measures included salivary cortisol, anxiety, wellbeing, comfort, respiratory and heart rate. Analysis indicates a significant reduction in heart and respiratory rates p < .01 and level of anxiety p < .000 with improved levels of comfort and well-being p < .000. The salivary cortisol result was non-significant p = .623. This ATT dog program resulted in reduced anxiety levels and decreased heart and respiratory rates while improving subjective measures of comfort and wellbeing.
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