Nursing Campus Therapy Dog: A Pilot Study

Hall, Debby

doi:10.1016/j.teln.2018.05.004

Cited by 18 publications

(44 citation statements)

References 23 publications

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“…50 Another study noted that handlers were trained to detect signs of animal stress throughout the program, 35 which is consistent with the views of participants in this study stating handlers would ensure the safety of the animals. The key times of year identified by participants to hold a PSP are consistent with the previous studies [17][18][19]23,25,28,34 who held programs during exam time. As this study explored the views of operational staff members and a large majority of participants suggested similar times to existing studies, it could be that these periods of high stress are similar for staff and students.…”

Section: Discussionsupporting

confidence: 86%

“…In relation to the location of the program, previous studies appear to have held programs inside; 21,25,26,28,34 however, only one study notes this was due to weather considerations. 34 This is significant, as the current study highlights different rationale for having the PSP inside or outside.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Support animals are those that provide "support, well-being, comfort, or a calming influence through companionship, non-judgemental positive regard, [or] affection" to individuals. 14 Several studies conducted overseas have shown that PSPs can reduce stress levels, [15][16][17][18][19][20][21][22][23] levels of depression and anxiety [24][25][26][27] and blood pressure in students. 28,29 While demonstrating that PSPs have beneficial results, the quantitative nature of these studies means they are limited in capturing in-depth perspectives of how PSPs made participants feel.…”

mentioning

confidence: 99%

“…30 There are only a limited number of studies exploring practical considerations prior to implementation. 15,17,25,29,31,32 Feasibility studies are important as they can highlight potential obstacles to implementing a program. 33 Conducting a feasibility study is consistent with the Okanagan Charter's Key Principle for Action to "promote research, innovation and evidence-informed action," 2 which emphasises the need for research to inform health initiatives implemented across the university.…”

mentioning

confidence: 99%

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The feasibility of a Pet Support Program in an Australian university setting

Cooke

Henderson‐Wilson

Warner

2020

Health Prom J of Aust

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Issue addressed: Internationally, universities have recognised the benefits of Pet Support Programs (PSPs). However, existing literature has predominately focused on quantitatively measuring health outcomes associated with a PSP amongst student populations. This research aimed to explore the feasibility of a PSP within an Australian university, as there is a need to explore practical considerations involved in implementation.Methods: This research used a qualitative descriptive approach. Participants were recruited via purposive snowball sampling. The sample included 17 participants across eight administrative divisions within an Australian university. Semi-structured individual interviews were used to collect data. Data were analysed using thematic analysis.Results: Three main themes emerged from the data: Organisational Change, Program Management and Perceived Outcomes. Findings suggest several considerations from both an organisational and program level that need to be addressed prior to implementation, including the university's policies, the location and animal welfare. The main perceived outcomes were stress relief and social support. Ways to minimise risks to those who may have an aversion towards animals were also discussed. Conclusions: Participants believed implementing a PSP would be feasible in the university setting, provided all aforementioned considerations were adequately addressed. Considerations identified have the potential to act as a barrier or a facilitator depending on how they are managed. So what?: Where feasible and later implemented, a PSP could provide Australian university students and staff with an alternative means of improving mental health, providing stress relief and contributing towards the Health Promoting University framework.

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Section: Discussionsupporting

confidence: 86%

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

mentioning

confidence: 99%

mentioning

confidence: 99%

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The feasibility of a Pet Support Program in an Australian university setting

Cooke

Henderson‐Wilson

Warner

2020

Health Prom J of Aust

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“…Such benefits of in-person visits have also been identified in other similar campus therapy dog programs (e.g., [ 15 , 16 , 17 , 18 ]). Less research details faculty and staff therapy dog visiting outcomes, but that which does exist indicates similar although anecdotal evidence where attendees’ emotional wellbeing benefits [ 19 , 20 ].…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

A Commentary about Lessons Learned: Transitioning a Therapy Dog Program Online during the COVID-19 Pandemic

Dell

Williamson

McKenzie

et al. 2021

Animals

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In 2015, the University of Saskatchewan PAWS Your Stress Therapy Dog program partnered with St. John Ambulance for therapy dog teams to visit our campus and offer attendees love, comfort and support. We recognized at the start of the COVID-19 pandemic that students, staff and faculty may require mental health support, particularly with the challenges of isolation and loneliness. In response, our team transitioned from an in-person to a novel online format at the start of the COVID-19 pandemic. We designed online content for participants to (1) connect with therapy dogs and experience feelings of love, comfort and support as occurred in in-person programming, and (2) learn about pandemic-specific, evidence-informed mental health knowledge. Our unique approach highlighted what dogs can teach humans about health through their own care and daily activities. From April to June 2020, we developed a website, created 28 Facebook livestreams and 60 pre-recorded videos which featured therapy dogs and handlers, and cross-promoted on various social media platforms. Over three months, first a combined process-outcome evaluation helped us determine whether our activities contributed to the program’s goals. A subsequent needs assessment allowed us to elicit participant preferences for the program moving forward. This commentary reflects on these findings and our teams’ collective experiences to share our key lessons learned related to program personnel needs, therapy dog handler training and support requirements, and online programming prerequisites. This combined understanding is informing our current activities with the virtual program and should be of interest to other therapy dog programs transitioning online.

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Animal-Assisted Interventions Improve Mental, But Not Cognitive or Physiological Health Outcomes of Higher Education Students: a Systematic Review and Meta-analysis

Huber

Klug

Abraham

et al. 2022

Int J Ment Health Addiction

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Due to the high burden of mental health issues among students at higher education institutions world-wide, animal-assisted interventions (AAIs) are being used to relieve student stress. The objective of this study was to systematically review of the effects of AAIs on the mental, physiological, and cognitive outcomes of higher education students. Randomized controlled trials using any unfamiliar animal as the sole intervention tool were included in this review. Study quality was assessed using the Cochrane Risk-of-Bias tool. Where possible, effect sizes (Hedges’ g) were pooled for individual outcomes using random-effects meta-analyses. Albatross plots were used to supplement the data synthesis. Of 2.494 identified studies, 35 were included. Almost all studies used dogs as the intervention animal. The quality of most included studies was rated as moderate. Studies showed an overall reduction of acute anxiety and stress. For other mental outcomes, studies showed smaller, but nonetheless beneficial effects. Studies showed no clear effect on physiological or cognitive outcomes. Strong methodological heterogeneity between studies limited the ability to draw clear conclusions.

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Nursing Campus Therapy Dog: A Pilot Study

Cited by 18 publications

References 23 publications

The feasibility of a Pet Support Program in an Australian university setting

The feasibility of a Pet Support Program in an Australian university setting

A Commentary about Lessons Learned: Transitioning a Therapy Dog Program Online during the COVID-19 Pandemic

Animal-Assisted Interventions Improve Mental, But Not Cognitive or Physiological Health Outcomes of Higher Education Students: a Systematic Review and Meta-analysis

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