Animal-Assisted Interventions in Health Care Settings

Canine-Assisted Interventions in Hospitals: Best Practices for Maximizing Human and Canine Safety

“…In the absence of studies providing more conclusive evidence on the role of canines in zoonotic pathogen transmission and cross-transmission of human pathogens, strict infection prevention and control procedures, including the ability to contact trace CAI interactions, must be established for CAI to maximize patient, healthcare provider, and CAI team safety. Two recent publications address this issue and provide guidelines for the safe practice of CAI in hospitals ( 52 , 57 ).…”

“…proposed as a standard suitable for widespread adoption ( 57 ) and selected as a model healthcare CAI program featured globally by Mission Critical Health…”

“…Program efficacy is documented through ongoing research and evaluation, disseminated through professional publications and internal and external education, and utilized in making program revisions. For detailed information on the Dogs on Call program see Barker et al ( 57 ), and visit the program website 1 .…”

“…The publication of the Society for Healthcare Epidemiology of America guidelines for animals in health care facilities provides recommendations for service and therapy animals informed by science and current practice ( 52 ). A 2019 published manual for establishing and maintaining CAI in health care facilities represents another resource ( 57 ). Based on research and extensive experience, the manual includes recommendations on infection control reviewed by the Society for Healthcare Epidemiology of America.…”

Older Adults’ Perceived Benefits of Equine-Assisted Psychotherapy: Implications for Social Work

“…Research offering support of animal-assisted therapy among older adults is growing, and studies have documented benefit for the use of animal-assisted therapy among those with dementia (Travers, Perkins, Rand, Bartlett, & Morton, 2013), older adults with mental illness (Moretti et al, 2011), and older adults living in long-term care facilities (Colombo, Buono, Smania, Raviola, & De Leo, 2006). Benefits of companion animals, such as dogs and cats, have been established especially in various health-care settings to “reach” individuals who have a reduced capacity to interact with others (Bachi & Parish-Plass, 2017; Barker, Vokes, & Barker, 2019). For example, canine-assisted therapies are found to be beneficial among older adults by improving their attitudes, cognitive function, emotional well-being, and social health while also reducing levels of loneliness, stress, and depression (Marx et al, 2010; Nordgren & Engström, 2014).…”