The Pet Therapy in Nursing Care

Pet Therapy in Nursing Care Introduction

Pet therapy, or the use of companion animals to improve human health, has gained considerable popularity as an intervention in various clinical settings. This form of therapy leverages the natural bond between humans and animals to enhance physical, emotional, and psychological well-being. While pet therapy seems intuitively beneficial, the scientific research supporting its efficacy is still growing. Nurses, among other healthcare professionals, have played a significant role in advancing this field, contributing to a body of evidence that underlines the therapeutic potential of animal companionship.

What is Pet Therapy?

Pet therapy, also known as animal-assisted therapy, involves using animals, particularly pets like dogs and cats, to achieve specific therapeutic goals. This intervention aims to harness the innate human-animal bond to facilitate healing and enhance overall well-being. It is utilized in various settings including hospitals, nursing homes, schools, and therapy centers.

The concept of pet therapy is based on the understanding that interaction with animals can trigger physiological and psychological benefits. These benefits include reduced stress, lower blood pressure, and improved mood. Despite its widespread use, pet therapy’s scientific foundation has been relatively modest compared to more established medical practices, though the research evidence is expanding.

Nursing Research on Pet Therapy

Nursing research on pet therapy typically falls into three categories:

  1. Bio-Physiological Effects: Studies in this category focus on how pet therapy impacts physiological measures such as blood pressure, heart rate, and cortisol levels. Nurses have investigated how interactions with animals can influence these metrics, providing insights into the physical benefits of animal companionship.
  2. Alleviating Distress in Children: Research explores how pets can help reduce stress and anxiety in children undergoing medical procedures. Studies have examined the role of animals in calming children during painful or frightening experiences, contributing to a more positive healthcare experience.
  3. Effectiveness for the Elderly: This category examines how pet therapy benefits elderly individuals, including those in long-term care facilities. Research has focused on the impact of animals on social interaction, mood, and cognitive function among the elderly.

Earlier Studies About Pet Benefits

One of the pioneering studies on the health benefits of pets was coauthored by Sue Ann Thomas and colleagues (Friedmann, Katcher, Lynch, & Thomas, 1980). This research tracked patients with myocardial infarction or angina pectoris over one year after discharge. The study revealed that pet owners had a significantly lower mortality rate compared to non-pet owners, although the presence of a pet was not correlated with the severity of the disease. This early study highlighted a potential survival benefit associated with pet ownership, suggesting that pets might contribute to overall health improvement.

Thomas’s subsequent research (Friedmann, Katcher, Thomas, Lynch, & Messent, 1983) demonstrated that a friendly animal could positively influence children’s perceptions of stressful situations, leading to lower blood pressure while the children were resting and reading. This study provided early evidence that pets could have calming effects, especially in pediatric settings.

First Trial on Pet Dog

The first controlled trial examining the effect of interaction with a pet dog on blood pressure was published in Nursing Research in 1984 (Baun, Bergstrom, Langston, & Thomas, 1984). Prior to this, anecdotal evidence suggested that petting a dog could lower blood pressure, but this had not been scientifically validated. This landmark study employed a within-subject, repeated measures design to compare physiological responses—systolic and diastolic blood pressure, heart rate, and respiratory rate—across three conditions: interacting with a familiar dog, interacting with an unfamiliar control dog, and reading quietly.

The study found statistically significant differences among the three conditions. Interaction with a known dog resulted in greater reductions in blood pressure compared to interacting with the control dog or reading quietly. This finding suggested that the bond between the individual and the animal played a crucial role in the physiological benefits observed. Subsequent studies supported these findings, reinforcing the importance of the human-animal bond in therapeutic settings (Schuelke et al., 1991; Oetting, Baun, Bergstrom, & Langston, 1985).

Animal Interaction and Children

Numerous studies have explored how animal companionship affects children, particularly in clinical settings. A notable study by Nagengast, Baun, Megel, and Leibowitz (1997) investigated the impact of a companion animal on physiological arousal and behavioral distress in preschool children during routine physical examinations. Using a within-subject, time-series design, the researchers compared the effects of having a dog present versus not having a dog during the examination. Results indicated significant reductions in systolic and mean arterial pressure, heart rate, and behavioral distress when a dog was present.

A follow-up study (Hansen, Messinger, Baun, & Megel, 1999) replicated these findings in a pediatric clinic setting. While physiological measures like blood pressure and finger temperature did not show significant differences between the dog and no-dog groups, behavioral distress was notably less in the group with the therapy dog. This study reinforced the utility of therapy dogs in reducing procedural distress in children.

Another study (Havener et al., 2001) evaluated the impact of a therapy dog on school-age children undergoing dental procedures. The study used a two-group, repeated measures design to assess physiological arousal and behavioral distress. Children with a therapy dog present exhibited decreased physiological arousal during the procedure, highlighting the potential of therapy animals to alleviate procedural distress in clinical settings.

Effectiveness of Animal Companionship

The effectiveness of animal companionship extends beyond children to various populations, including the elderly. Early research in this area includes a study conducted by Robb, Boyd, and Pristash (1980) in the Veterans Administration system. The study compared social interaction levels in the presence of a caged dog, a plant, or a wine bottle in a long-term care facility. The caged dog produced the most significant increase in social behavior among residents.

Further research examined the effects of therapy animals on social interaction among nursing home residents. Studies by Buelt, Bergstrom, Baun, and Langston (1985) and McArthur, Brunmeier, Bergstrom, and Baun (1986) used within-subject, repeated measures designs to measure social behaviors in the presence of a dog. Both studies found increased social interaction, with behaviors primarily directed at the dog.

In another study (Jessen, Cardiello, & Baun, 1997), caged birds were placed in the rooms of elderly residents in skilled rehabilitation units. The experimental group with birds showed a significant decrease in depression compared to the control group, although there was no notable change in morale or loneliness. This study supported the use of various companion animals to mitigate negative effects of institutionalization.

The impact of therapy dogs on residents with Alzheimer’s disease (AD) has also been studied. Research by Batson, McCabe, Baun, and Wilson (1998) and Churchill, Safaoui, McCabe, and Baun (1999) demonstrated increased socialization, improved social behaviors, and decreased agitation among AD patients. A study by McCabe, Baun, Speich, and Agrawal (2002) found that introducing a resident dog in an AD special care unit led to decreased problem behaviors and increased nutritional intake, resulting in weight gain over a six-week period.

Benefits of Animal Companionship

The benefits of animal companionship are multifaceted and include:

  1. Emotional Support: Animals provide companionship and emotional support, reducing feelings of loneliness and depression.
  2. Physical Health: Interaction with pets can lower blood pressure, reduce heart rate, and improve overall physical health.
  3. Social Interaction: Pets can enhance social interactions among individuals, promoting increased engagement and communication.
  4. Behavioral Improvement: For individuals with cognitive impairments or mental health issues, animals can facilitate behavioral improvements and emotional stability.

Outcomes of Study

The growing body of research on pet therapy highlights its potential benefits across various populations and settings. Studies have consistently demonstrated that animal companionship can positively impact physiological and psychological well-being. Nurses and other healthcare professionals have been instrumental in exploring and documenting these benefits, contributing to a more comprehensive understanding of the human-animal bond.

Despite the positive findings, more research is needed to fully establish the efficacy of pet therapy. Future studies should aim to address existing gaps in knowledge, refine therapeutic protocols, and explore the long-term effects of animal companionship on health outcomes. As the field continues to evolve, pet therapy may become an increasingly integral component of holistic healthcare approaches, offering valuable benefits to patients across diverse settings.

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