Developing an animal-assisted support program for healthcare employees.

BACKGROUND: Employee burnout and its associated consequences is a significant problem in the healthcare workforce. Workplace animal therapy programs offer a potential strategy for improving employee well-being; however, research on animal therapy programs for healthcare workers is lacking. This study aimed to evaluate the feasibility, acceptability and preliminary impact of an animal-assisted support program to improve healthcare employee well-being. METHODS: In this mixed-methods pilot intervention study, we implemented an animal-assisted support program in a multidisciplinary healthcare clinic at a large VA hospital. The program included 20 sessions over 3 months, each approximately 1-h long. Real-time mood data were collected from participants immediately before and after each session. Participation rates were tracked in real time and self-reported at follow-up. Data on burnout and employee perceptions of the program were collected upon completion via a survey and semi-structured interviews. Differences in mood and burnout pre/post program participation were assessed with t-tests. RESULTS: Participation was high; about 51% of clinic employees (n = 39) participated in any given session, averaging participation in 9/20 sessions. Mood (on a scale of 1 = worst to 5 = best mood) significantly improved from immediately before employees interacted with therapy dogs (M = 2.9) to immediately after (M = 4.5) (p = 0.000). Employees reported significantly lower levels of patient-related burnout (e.g., how much exhaustion at work relates to interaction with patients) after (M = 18.0 vs. before, M = 40.0) participating (p = 0.002). Qualitative findings suggested that employees were highly satisfied with the program, noticed an improved clinic atmosphere, and experienced a reduction in stress and boost in mood. CONCLUSIONS: Establishing an animal-assisted support program for employees in a busy healthcare clinic is feasible and acceptable. Our pilot data suggest that animal-assisted programs could be a means to boost mood and decrease facets of burnout among healthcare employees.

Service dog training programs for veterans with PTSD: results of a pilot controlled study.

Service dog programs are increasingly being explored as complementary or alternative interventions for military veterans with posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD). This paper details the results of a control group, pre-and-post pilot investigation evaluating the use of a 14-week service dog training program for veterans in central Florida. Thirty veterans diagnosed with PTSD, 15 in the intervention group and 15 in the waitlist controlled group, completed all pretests and posttests measures, consisting of the 136-item Trauma Symptom Inventory-2 and the 36-item World Health Organization-Disability Assessment Schedule 2.0. Compared to demographically similar veterans in the control group, participants who completed the service dog training program demonstrated significant decreases in posttraumatic symptomatology, intra/interpersonal difficulties associated with psychological trauma, and in disabilities secondary to their PTSD. Study findings, in combination with results from two other recently published controlled investigations, provide evidence supporting the endorsement and use of service dog programs as helpful complementary or alternative treatment options for some veterans. Social work practitioners may want to consider referring their veteran clients with PTSD to qualified service dog programs for adjunctive support when they are having difficulty engaging with or benefiting from office-based traditional therapy approaches.

Dog-assisted therapy in the dental clinic. Part B. Hazards and assessment of potential risks to the health and safety of the dental therapy dog.

Background: A dental therapy dog may help anxious patients in the dental clinic overcome their fear and facilitate the completion of necessary dental care. Dental clinic activities are associated with hazards that may pose potential risks to the health and safety of the dental therapy dog. Objectives: To describe potential hazards associated with risks to health and safety to therapy dogs in dental clinics and to present suggestions for risk minimisation by adopting best practices in dental clinic settings. Materials and method: Literature searches in Medline, http://Clinicaltrials.gov, and Google Scholar for qualitative and quantitative assessments of occupational hazards and risks in dental clinics, in combination with a review of the reference list of the included studies. Identified hazards and risks were analysed relative to their relevance for the health and welfare of a therapy dog present in a dental clinic setting. Results: Workplace hazards in the dental clinic that apply to both humans and therapy dogs are allergies, sharps injury, eye injury, stress, rhinitis, hearing impairment, and other hazards. Additional concerns associated with risks for the dental therapy dog are situations involving erratic patient behaviour and threats if the patient is an undisclosed disease carrier. Risks to the health and safety of the dental therapy dog in the clinics are present but are low if the dental clinical staff and dog handlers comply with best practices. Conclusions: Best practice includes awareness amongst the clinic staff and the dog handler of all potential hazards in the dental clinic and on how to reduce these hazards as well as adverse events that may scare the dental therapy dog. The dental therapy dog team must be specially trained to work in a dental clinic. Each treatment session has to be exclusively tailored to that specific appointment and the individual patient.

Dog-assisted therapy in the dental clinic: Part A-Hazards and assessment of potential risks to the health and safety of humans.

Background: Dog-assisted therapy in the dental clinic may be an attractive alternative to sedation for anxious patients. Including a dental therapy dog in a clinical setting introduces new hazards and potential risks to health and safety for both humans and animal. Objectives: The study aims to describe potential hazards associated with risks to humans by having a therapy dog present in the dental clinic and to provide guidance on best practices to minimise and control risks for the patients, the dentist, and the dental clinic staff. Materials and Methods: Literature searches in Medline, http://Clinicaltrials.gov, and Google Scholar for qualitative and quantitative assessments of hazards and risks associated with the use of therapy dogs in health care settings, in combination with a review of the reference list of the included studies. Identified hazards and risks were analysed with respect for the health and welfare of humans in a dental clinic setting that involves the presence of a therapy dog. Results: Potential risks to health and safety for humans in dental clinics that offer dog-assisted therapy can be categorised within four general categories of hazards: the dog as a source of zoonotic pathogens and human diseases, exposure to canine allergens, adverse animal behaviour, and dangers associated with high activity in a congested dental clinic operatory. Risks to humans are reduced by maintaining awareness amongst the dental clinic staff and the dog handler of all potential hazards in the dental clinic, and on how to reduce these hazards as well as adverse events that may scare the dental therapy dog. Conclusions: Risks to the health and safety of humans in the presence of therapy dog in the clinics are present but are low if the dental clinical staff and dog handlers comply with best practices.

Use of a Dog Visitation Program to Improve Patient Satisfaction in Trauma Patients.

Clinical staff members all recognize the importance of attaining high patient satisfaction scores. Although there are many variables that contribute to patient satisfaction, implementation of a dog visitation program has been shown to have positive effects on patient satisfaction in total joint replacement patients. This innovative practice had not previously been studied in trauma patients. The purpose of this quasi-experimental study was to determine whether dog visitation to trauma inpatients increased patient satisfaction scores with the trauma physicians. A team consisting of a dog and handler visited 150 inpatients on the trauma service. Patient satisfaction was measured using a preexisting internal tool for patients who had received dog visitation and compared with other trauma patients who had not received a visit. This study demonstrated that patient satisfaction on four of the five measured scores was more positive for the patients who had received a dog visit.

[Establishment of an Animal Based Therapy at a University Hospital for Psychiatry: Results of a Preliminary Study and Future Prospects]. / Etablierung tiergestützter Therapie an einer psychiatrischen Universitätsklinik: Ergebnisse der Vorstudie und Ausblick.

Objective: Dogs have been integrated in human society over centuries. This process has selected unique social and communicative skills. Dogs are thus able to represent social substitutes for human counterparts in cases of social withdrawal. Furthermore, dogs act as "social catalysts" in promoting interhuman encounters. Thus, the integration of dogs in psychotherapeutic concepts addressing social and interpersonal deficits may be of special interest. Methods: The present investigation reports the results of a pilot study to establish animal-assisted therapy (dogs) at a psychiatric department. The animal-assisted intervention straddled the following areas: (1) contact making, communication and orientation to needs, (2) recreation and play, (3) outward orientation, (4) release and farewell. The sample comprised 22 subjects. Results: The results demonstrated in particular that the animal-assisted intervention significantly promoted unspecific aspects of positive affectivity and wellbeing. Evaluation of the overall acceptance of the dog on the psychiatric ward revealed very positive feedback. Conclusions: We conclude that animal-assisted therapies represent a significant enchrichment of the therapeutic context, that may be used to enhance the patients' openness and adherence to conventional therapies.

Animal-Assisted Therapy in Pediatric Palliative Care.

Animal-assisted therapy is an emerging complementary strategy with an increasing presence in the literature. Limited studies have been conducted with children, particularly those with life-threatening and life-limiting conditions. Although outcomes show promise in decreasing suffering of children receiving palliative care services, more work is needed to validate evidence to support implementation of animal-assisted therapy with this vulnerable population.

Estudio preliminar de la efectividad de la terapia asistida con perros en personas de la tercera edad / Effectiveness of dog-assisted therapy in the elderly. A preliminary study

Introducción. Las terapias asistidas con animales están cada vez más presentes en diferentes ámbitos educativos y sanitarios. El objetivo del presente estudio es valorar la efectividad de este tipo de intervenciones en la población de edad avanzada residente en centros privados. Material y métodos. Se diseñó un programa de intervención asistida por un perro en el que participaron 16 usuarios de una residencia geriátrica, divididos en un grupo experimental y un grupo control, durante 12 semanas. Resultados. Se evaluaron diferentes variables físicas y psicológicas antes y después de la intervención y, mientras que en el grupo control no se encontraron diferencias significativas, en el grupo experimental aparecieron mejoras posteriores a la intervención. Conclusiones. Los resultados obtenidos refuerzan la hipótesis de que las terapias asistidas con animales pueden resultar beneficiosas para las personas de la tercera edad residentes en centros geriátricos (AU)

Introduction. Animal-assisted therapy is increasingly present in several educational and health areas. The aim of this study is to assess the effectiveness of such interventions in the elderly population living in residential settings. Materials and methods. A 12-week dog-assisted intervention program was designed, with 16 participants from a nursing home divided into an experimental group and a control group. Results. Several physical and psychological variables were assessed before and after the intervention. While there were no significant differences in the control group, the experimental group improved significantly after participating in the program. Discussion. The results support the hypothesis that animal-assisted interventions may be beneficial for residents in elderly care homes (AU)

Prevention of transmitted infections in a pet therapy program: An exemplar.

The focus of the patient experience in health care delivery has afforded the opportunity to integrate pet therapy as a part of patient care. The purpose of this article is to present the implementation of a pet therapy program that includes guidelines for the prevention of transmitted infections. Consideration of infection prevention strategies has resulted in a 16-year program with no documented incidences of transmitted infections, averaging 20,000 pet therapy interactions per year.

Pet Therapy in Correctional Institutions: A Perspective From Relational-Cultural Theory.

In this article the authors apply Relational-Cultural Theory to pet therapy in correctional institutions. An important premise is that when pet therapy is used in prisons a symbiotic relationship develops between pets and prison inmates which, at the same time, improve their relationships with people themselves. Relational-Cultural Theory posits that relationships with individuals are not just a means to an end. Rather, good relationships promote growth and healthy development; they also cultivate reciprocal empathy. Hence, a major reason of suffering for most people is their experience of isolation; healing can occur in growth-fostering relationships.

Nonprofit Charity Impacts Wounded Combat Veterans And Children Facing Adversity.

Mental and physical health challenges, especially for returning war veterans and their families, is a growing national concern. A grassroots program featuring equine therapy for these patients and their families shows promise in increasing self-esteem and self-confidence, reducing isolation and depression, and improving speaking and writing skills.

Efectos de la terapia asistida con animales en personas con daño cerebral o lesión medular / Effects of animal assisted therapy in people with brain damage or spinal cord injury

Objetivo: Valorar los efectos terapéuticos obtenidos al aplicar un programa de terapia asistida con animales (TAA) en personas con daño cerebral o lesión medular. Material y método: Se realizó un estudio longitudinal prospectivo cuasi experimental en una población de 30 pacientes con diagnostico de daño cerebral o lesión medular. La selección se realizó mediante muestreo no probabilístico de conveniencia. Se dividieron en cinco grupos según criterios de edad. La duración del estudio fue de 16 meses, realizándose 23 sesiones de grupo, de 90 minutos de duración, durante los primeros nueve meses del estudio. Tres pacientes se perdieron durante el seguimiento. Para la evaluación se utilizó la Batería cognitiva LOTCA, el Índice de Barthel y la escala COPM. Resultados: En la valoración final, todos los pacientes mejoraron o se mantuvieron estables respecto a la valoración inicial. La evaluación COPM fue de 8,42±2,59 para la importancia, de 8,17±2,41 para el desempeño y de 8,96±2,07 en satisfacción. La valoración cognitiva mejoró en el 33% de los pacientes y la independencia funcional en el 37%. Conclusiones: La TAA puede servir como Técnica No Farmacológica (TNF) en los procesos de rehabilitación de las personas afectadas por patologías neurológicas (AU)

Objective: To evaluate the effects of animal assisted therapy (AAT) in a brain damaged or spinal injury population. Material and method: A prospective longitudinal study was undertaken on 30 patients with diagnosis of brain damage or spinal injury selected under non probabilistic accidental sampling, five groups were made according to patients age. A total of 23 sessions of AAT, 90 minutes long, were performed. Study period was 16 months, with therapy taking place in the first nine months. Three patients were lost in the follow up. Evaluation was performed using LOTCA cognitive battery test, Barthel index and COPM scale. Results: All patients showed improvement or no change according to initial evaluation. COPM evaluation were 8,42±2,59 for importance, 8,17±2,41 for performance, and 8,96±2,07 for satisfaction. Evaluation ranges from 1 to 10. Improvement was found in 33% of the patients for cognitive evaluation, and in 37% for functional independence evaluation showed improvement in most of the patients. Conclusion: AAT can be useful as non-pharmacological therapy in the rehabilitation process of neurological affected (AU)

[Animal assisted therapy in a long-term care nursing home]. / Zoothérapie dans un Centre de long séjour.

Animal assisted therapy sessions have been set up at the Bellevaux nursing home in Besançon. The project has required a number of specific procedures and training courses to be put in place as well as the involvement of different departments. The sessions give real pleasure to the residents and produce interesting results.

[Protocol of the animal assisted activity program at a university hospital]. / Protocolo do Programa de Assistência Auxiliada por Animais no Hospital Universitário.

Animal-Assisted Activity (AAA) consists in visitation and recreation through contact with animals, aiming at entertainment and improving the interpersonal relationship between patients and staff. Permission for the animals to visit an Institution requires a protocol with rules and safety routines to avoid accidents and zoonoses. The objective of this study is to describe the important points of the protocol to implement the AAA program. The protocol includes: introduction, objectives, inclusion and exclusion criteria for animals, drivers and patients; recommendations to the handlers and the health team, responsibilities of the Nosocomial Infection Control Committee, zoonoses posters, vaccination schedule for dogs and cats, free-informed consent to take part in the program and records with behavioral analysis of the animals. We believe that disclosing the protocol, based on scientific studies, favors the implementation of new programs in institutions considering the lack of national publications.