Animal-assisted services, specifically animal-assisted support programs (AASPs, pet therapy, animal-assisted therapy, animal-assisted activities), are promising programs that may improve the mental health and overall well-being of older adults living with and without dementia in long-term care (LTC) homes. Few studies have explored the perspectives of residents and LTC staff regarding AASPs for older adults. This study aimed to identify the initial perspectives of LTC staff regarding the feasibility, acceptability, and other factors influencing the implementation of a live AASP within Canadian LTC homes. Our secondary aim was to supplement the perspectives of the LTC staff with interviews from LTC residents and community members. Qualitative semi-structured individual and group interviews were conducted in 2022 and 2023 with LTC staff members from one LTC home in Alberta, Canada. Additional interviews with community members and LTC residents supplemented these interviews. The interviews were analyzed using Braun and Clarke's recommendations for thematic analysis. Eighteen individuals were interviewed, including 14 LTC staff, 2 LTC residents, and 2 community members (one AASP volunteer and one individual living with dementia). Four key themes were identified: (1) Experiences with animals in LTC, (2) Acceptability and perceived benefits of AASPs, (3) Perceived challenges of AASPs and associated mitigators, and (4) Preferences and recommendations for AASPs in LTC. AASPs have many potential benefits for residents and staff in LTC homes, including perceived improvements in mood and social engagement. Interview participants provided insights and recommendations for future AASPs, including understanding the challenges to implementing AASPs, such as the fear of animals. The interview findings will inform the design of an AASP intervention and a pilot study to implement and evaluate the intervention in LTC.

Health care workers continue to experience persistent stress, anxiety, and burnout, despite recent declines from pandemic-era peaks. Animal-assisted activity (AAA) has shown promise in improving psychological well-being, but research specific to health care workers remains limited. To evaluate the effect of a baby-kangaroo AAA intervention on staff anxiety levels during Nurses Week and National Hospital Week. As part of a quality improvement project, staff voluntarily completed a two-question survey immediately before and after holding and petting a baby kangaroo. Anxiety was measured using a validated one-item, 5-point Likert-type scale. Role-based demographic data were collected, and paired t tests were used to analyze pre- and postintervention differences. A total of 324 staff completed the presurvey and 251 completed the postsurvey. All three role groups-RN/LPN, clinical non-RN/LPN, and nonclinical staff-showed statistically significant reductions in anxiety (all P < .0001). The overall mean anxiety decrease across 251 paired responses was 0.906 (SD = 0.64). A brief, informal AAA encounter involving a baby kangaroo significantly reduced self-reported anxiety among health care workers. Findings support the integration of AAA as a meaningful well-being intervention and highlight the opportunity for nurse leaders to champion similar programs that promote staff emotional health and engagement.

The scientific article analyses the health care system of European countries and Lithuania in the context of complementary and alternative medicine. The article reviews the relationship between the traditions of conventional medicine and alternative and complementary medicine, patients’ attitudes towards the methods of complementary and alternative medicine, as well as dolphin-assisted therapy as one of the methods of complementary and alternative medicine. The impact on people with disabilities achieved by implementing the innovations of complementary and alternative medicine in the health system is reviewed. The aim is to investigate the links between conventional medicine and complementary and alternative medicine – specifically, dolphin-assisted therapy – through the impact on people with disabilities in implementing health system reforms. The research presents 147 interviews conducted with parents whose children with disabilities participated in dolphin-assisted therapy. The research data were processed by using qualitative content analysis. The research revealed that, from the point of view of parents raising children with disabilities, dolphin-assisted therapy is a health innovation that can be attributed not to complementary and alternative medicine, but rather to conventional medicine due to the complexity of the applied programme and methods. European Union countries treat complementary and alternative medicine methods in a different way, and the law adopted in Lithuania in 2020 opened opportunities for the development of conventional medicine and the regulation of complementary and alternative medicine, and the changes of health system reform expand the opportunities of integrative medicine for the choice of innovative methods for people with disabilities that affect the quality of life and better response to needs.

Background: Hospitalisation for paediatric oncohaematological diseases entails significant physical and psychological stress, often compromising children’s emotional regulation and daily functioning. In this context, complementary interventions can provide additional support to the clinical work conducted with children and adolescents undergoing treatment, fostering emotional awareness and well-being. This study evaluates the feasibility and perceived benefits of an animal-assisted psychoeducational intervention to enhance emotional coping during hospitalisation. Methods: A single-centre observational study was conducted at Regina Margherita Children’s Hospital in Italy in collaboration with the ZOOM Foundation (Turin, Italy), between September 2023 and May 2025. Sixty patients aged 6–15 years participated in an intervention combining observation of an in-ward aquarium, virtual animal encounters, and completion of a psychoeducational booklet promoting emotional reflection through symbolic identification with animal behaviours. Results: The intervention showed high feasibility and acceptability: 90% of participants (54/60) reported positive emotions and enjoyment, 80% (48/60) found the booklet engaging, and all participants (100%) perceived care and attention from facilitators. The activities fostered engagement, curiosity, and well-being, though their impact on deeper emotional processing appeared limited. Conclusions: Animal-assisted psychoeducational interventions are feasible and well-received in paediatric oncohaematology, offering complementary support to clinical care by promoting emotional resilience and enriching the hospital experience.

Amidst a global crisis of workplace stress and burnout, this review investigates the role of human-animal bond through the means of pet-friendly policies and animal-assisted therapy in supporting employee mental health. The integration of evidence from different sectors and theoretical perspectives, reveals that human-animal interactions reliably decrease physiological stress, enhance emotional wellness, and cultivate social bonds and engagement. The findings not only position these initiatives as a perk, but also as strategic evidence-informed resource that can cushion out job demands and humanize the work environment. Although mindful implementation is required, integration of the human-animal bond offers a promising path toward building more resilient and thriving workplaces.

We aimed to assess whether the presence of a therapy dog during 2 dental care sessions could facilitate subsequent dog-free dental care for anxious autistic children who had difficulty cooperating. We conducted a parallel-arm randomized trial: control group using usual behavioral strategies only and experimental group using animal-assisted therapy (AAT) strategies combined with usual behavioral strategies. All patients had 3 dental care sessions. In the experimental group, the therapy dog was present during the first 2 dental sessions, and the third dental session was dog-free. The primary outcome was the mean overall anxiety during the dog-free third treatment session. Generalized estimating equations (GEEs) were also used to account for the correlation of repeated measures. A total of 49 patients were enrolled. The most frequently usual behavioral strategies were positive reinforcement (n = 31; 64%), hypnosis (n = 28; 58%), demystification (n = 26; 52%), and in vivo modeling (n = 25; 51%). AAT-specific strategies included imitating dog (n = 18; 69%), positive supportive reinforcement with dog incentives (n = 14; 54%), and distraction or therapeutic touch (n = 11; 42%). Mean anxiety scores were significantly lower in the experimental group during the third session (mean difference, -1.4; 95% CI, -2.43 to -0.37). GEE analysis showed a significant reduction in anxiety over time in the experimental group compared with controls (P = .0001; β = -1.03). Dog served mainly as an in vivo model and positive reinforcer. Our findings suggest that AAT could play a key role in helping children acclimate to dental procedures, and, consequently, ease the transition back to conventional, animal-free dental treatments.

To describe the latest information on types of psychosocial interventions and their effectiveness on loneliness reduction among older adults in community and residential care settings, and the experience with these interventions. Umbrella review. The Joanna Briggs Institute methodology for umbrella reviews. Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews; Cumulative Index of Nursing and Allied Health Literature; Medline; Embase; Emcare; PsycINFO; ProQuest Dissertation & Thesis Global; Ovid Nursing Database; MedRxvi. Twenty-two reviews were included. Seven major types of psychosocial intervention were identified: (1) social facilitation interventions, (2) psychological therapies, (3) health and social care provision, (4) animal-assisted interventions, (5) befriending interventions, (6) leisure and skill development, and (7) other interventions. Social facilitation interventions that provide synchronised interaction, psychological therapies, health and social care provision, and animal (-assisted) interventions demonstrated positive effects while leisure/skill development and befriending interventions warrant more rigorous evidence. Group settings, synchronised interaction and purpose-driven are identified as facilitators, whereas technological issues and safety issues are barriers to participation. Seven types of psychosocial interventions are currently available for loneliness among community-dwelling older adults, and a positive effect in reducing loneliness was demonstrated in some types. Facilitators and barriers to their participation were synthesised. Two future research directions are suggested: (1) reviews on meaning-centred interventions to provide a comprehensive understanding and (2) implementation studies employing community-based paraprofessionals to promote programme scalability and accessibility. Health and social care practitioners (e.g., nurses), researchers and policymakers are recommended to employ social facilitation interventions with synchronised interaction, psychological therapies, health and social care provision and animal-assisted interventions to address loneliness among community-dwelling older adults. This review provided empirical information on available effective interventions to address loneliness among community-dwelling older adults. It also provided information for nurses to implement psychosocial interventions in the community. The Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses guidelines PATIENT OR PUBLIC CONTRIBUTION: This study did not include patient or public involvement in its design, conduct or reporting. PROSPERO CRD 42023482852, registered 25/11/2023.

Animal-assisted interventions (AAI) are increasingly recognized as nonpharmacological adjuncts to intensive care medicine. The aim of this paper by the German Society of Internal Intensive Care and Emergency Medicine (DGIIN) is to summarize the scientific rationale, safety considerations, and implementation recommendations for the use of AAI in intensive care units. Therapeutic effects are attributed to neuroendocrine mechanisms, particularly activation of the oxytocin system and reduction of cortisol levels, which can alleviate anxiety, pain perception, and psychological stress in critically ill patients. Early studies have reported significant reductions in anxiety without an associated increase in nosocomial infections. However, clinical implementation requires well-defined structural, hygienic, and ethical frameworks, including standardized risk analyses, binding hygiene and animal welfare standards, and multiprofessional collaboration integrating intensive care, nursing, infection control, and animal therapy. This paper presents the first systematic recommendations in Germany for the safe and quality-assured integration of animal-assisted interventions into intensive care practice and calls for scientifically accompanied implementation focusing on patient safety, animal welfare, and team well-being.

Background/Objectives: Evaluating the feasibility of randomized controlled trials (RCTs) represents a critical next step for advancing human–animal interaction (HAI) science and rigorously exploring the role of animal-assisted interventions (AAIs) in psychiatric acute care. This study presents strategies for conducting a pilot RCT comparing an animal-assisted intervention involving dogs (AAI) with an active conversational control (CC), which incorporated conversation with a human volunteer, and treatment as usual (TU) for improving mental health outcomes in psychiatrically hospitalized adults. Methods: We recruited participants from an acute-care psychiatric unit at an academic medical center. AAI and CC were delivered by volunteer handlers with and without their registered therapy dogs. Feasibility data included number of recruitment contacts, recruitment rate, and reasons for non-enrollment. We describe recruitment challenges encountered and mitigating strategies for successful study completion. Results: Recruitment occurred over 23 months with a goal of 60 participants participating in at least one intervention day. A total of 264 patients were referred to the study and 72 enrolled. The additional 12 people were recruited to replace participants who did not complete any intervention days and did not provide any intervention data. Study recruitment goals were met with a recruitment rate of 27.30%. Conclusions: Research to improve the lives of patients in acute psychiatric care is a vital public health goal, yet RCTs are difficult to conduct in acute care settings. Studies like this strengthen HAI and psychiatric science by providing a roadmap for implementing successful AAI RCT designs.

Exploring the effect of animal assisted therapy on pediatric anxiety during invasive procedures.

Dog-assisted therapy (DAT) has become a promising complementary approach, providing social and emotional support for children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD). Research on the effects of DAT on multiple functions in children with ASD is limited, and the results are inconsistent. Our study aimed to evaluate the effect of DAT with an RCT study on both psychosocial problems and overall well-being in children with ASD in Hong Kong. An exploratory randomized controlled trial was conducted from February 2023 to November 2024, involving 64 children with ASD aged 6 to 15 years. Participants were randomly assigned (1:1 ratio) to DAT group and control group. The DAT group participated in a structured 8-session DAT training program while the control group received a conventional education curriculum. Before and after the intervention, the Paediatric Quality of Life Inventory scale and Strengths and Difficulties Questionnaire were used to evaluate children’s quality of life and psychosocial problems, respectively. The paired t-test and independent t-test/Mann–Whitney U test were employed to analyze pre-post differences and group differences. In the DAT group, the mean total score of quality of life was significantly improved (pre vs. post: 58.32 vs. 63.71, P = 0.007) and the mean score of total difficulties was significantly reduced (pre vs. post: 15.63 vs. 13.16, P = 0.003). The decreased scores of several subscales of SDQ, such as externalizing behavior, conduct problems, and hyperactivity were also observed (all P < 0.05). The control group with conventional curriculum training also presented with a lowered mean total difficulties score (pre vs. post: 16.47 vs. 15.03, P = 0.035). There were no statistically significant change differences between the two groups (P > 0.05).Conclusion: The preliminary finding shows DAT has a comparable effect to the school’s educational curriculum in improving the psychosocial health and quality of life of children with ASD. DAT could potentially serve as a beneficial supplemental therapy for children with ASD who receive conventional curriculum training.Trial registration: The trial was registered on https://www.clinicaltrials.gov (NCT06609122) on 25 Sep 2024.What is Known:• Animal-assisted intervention (AAI) has emerged as a promising adjunct, offering social and emotional support for children with ASD.• Evidence on the impact of dog-assisted therapy (DAT) on important outcomes (e.g., emotional and behavioral problems, quality of life) were not fully explored.What is New:• DAT demonstrates a similar impact to the school's educational curriculum in enhancing the psychosocial well-being and quality of life of children with ASD.• DAT may serve as a valuable complementary therapy for children with ASD alongside conventional curriculum-based training.Supplementary InformationThe online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1007/s00431-025-06720-6.

The ethical and legal governance of Animal-Assisted Interventions (AAIs) remains conceptually and normatively fragmented. Although animals engaged in therapeutic, educational, and assistive activities make valuable contributions to human well-being, they continue to be defined by law as property or welfare objects, despite their meaningful yet limited forms of relational participation within structured human-controlled environments. This perspective obscures their context-dependent responsiveness and their institutional embeddedness. The present paper addresses this gap by adopting a normative and interdisciplinary approach grounded in relational legal theory and vulnerability scholarship. The concept is developed by drawing on Jennifer Nedelsky's notion of relational autonomy and Martha Fineman's theory of universal vulnerability. This results in the conceptualisation of AAI animals as correlated subjects: beings whose ethical and legal significance derives from the relationships and institutional contexts that shape their participation. The analysis identifies weaknesses in current medico-legal practices that frame veterinary certification and welfare assessment as static technical acts, ignoring their relational and systemic dimensions. The paper puts forward a relational ethical-legal framework for Animal-Assisted Interventions, centred on relational vulnerability, context-sensitive oversight and continuous institutional accountability. A number of practical recommendations are put forward, including the introduction of renewable ethical licences, inter-institutional monitoring and the establishment of multidisciplinary oversight mechanisms. By redefining animals' normative status through relational ethics, in alignment with the interconnected human, animal, and environmental dimensions emphasized by the One Welfare principles, the study advances a shift from welfare-based protection toward a model of justice grounded in interspecies interdependence and institutional responsiveness.

Artificial intelligence (AI) is increasingly used in qualitative research to support tasks such as coding, thematic identification, and pattern recognition. While AI enhances productivity in processing large volumes of unstructured data, it presents challenges that include limited contextual understanding, algorithmic bias, ethical concerns, and potential privacy issues. This article aims to explore the integration of AI-assisted tools into qualitative content analysis, focusing on methodological rigor, ethical standards, and how AI tools can effectively support, rather than replace, human insight. We designed an AI-assisted, thematic content analysis study of an animal-assisted therapy with farm animal's intervention involving domesticated ducks to support individuals with traumatic brain injury. We utilized Insight7, an AI software, chosen for its thematic detection capabilities and robust data security. Human researchers and the AI independently analyzed semistructured exit interview transcripts to allow for comparative validation of findings. There was general agreement between human and AI-generated themes. However, the AI occasionally misclassified typical participant experiences as challenges, highlighting the tool's limitations in contextual interpretation. Human oversight proved essential in ensuring accurate and nuanced data analysis. AI offers valuable support in qualitative research, especially in handling large datasets. However, its limitations underscore the importance of human involvement to maintain interpretive accuracy and ethical integrity. Future research should refine AI tools to enhance their contextual sensitivity while preserving the foundational role of human interpretation in qualitative inquiry.

Abstract Background: Attachment to animals is increasingly recognized as a widespread phenomenon , as the human-animal relationship has been shown to enhance mental health and well-being. This study aims to explore the relationship between attachment styles and satisfaction with life, with particular focus on the mediating effect of attachment to pets. Methods: A self-report questionnaire was administered through social media, using a Google Forms link, to 275 pet owners aged 18 and over in Lebanon, which reflects the use of snowball sampling. Several measurement scales were used: Lexington Attachment to Pets Scale, Satisfaction with Life Scale, and Relationship Questionnaire. Results: The results revealed that attachment to pets mediated the association between fearful attachment style and satisfaction with life. A higher fearful style was significantly associated with more attachment to pets, whereas higher attachment to pets was significantly associated with less satisfaction with life. It is noteworthy that the fearful attachment style was not directly and significantly associated with life satisfaction. Conclusion: This study identified a significant mediating role of attachment to pets in the relationship between fearful attachment style and life satisfaction. Individuals with higher levels of fearful attachment reported stronger emotional bonds with their pets, which were, in turn, associated with lower life satisfaction. These findings suggest that pet attachment may serve as a compensatory mechanism for those with insecure human attachments. While interventions such as animal-assisted therapy may hold promise in supporting emotional well-being, these results are correlational and should be interpreted with caution.

Background: Animal-assisted interventions (AAI) on college campuses are known to be beneficial for student mental health; however, these benefits are short-term. Owning a pet can produce similar long-term outcomes, yet students living in university-owned housing are often not permitted to own pets. Aim: This study explored the association between pet ownership and self-reported emotions of depression, anxiety, stress, and loneliness among undergraduate college students. Methods: This descriptive, quantitative study used convenience sampling to recruit undergraduate students (n = 391) from a public academic institution in the northern Appalachian region of the United States. Data from anonymous, electronic surveys were analyzed to identify sample characteristics and differences in outcome variables based on pet ownership status. Results: Pet ownership was associated with lower levels of self-reported depression, stress, and loneliness. Greater psychological distress and loneliness were reported among students who identified as non-binary, sophomores, and those living in residence halls. Conclusions: Findings from this study underscore the importance of ongoing psychological support for undergraduate students and offer meaningful implications for policy change. Academic institutions should consider allowing students to own a pet in university-owned housing as an additional way to support their psychological health and provide companionship when they need it most.

Social isolation and loneliness are concerns in gerontology. The impact of the human-animal interaction (HAI) on loneliness for older adults living alone is understudied. This scoping review explored the extent to which HAI is included in studies investigating social connectedness, specifically social isolation and loneliness, and if HAI bolsters healthy aging through increased perceived support. Following the PRISMA-ScR protocol, data from 58 articles were thematically categorized, identifying (a) existing inclusion of HAI; (b) definitions and descriptions of HAI; and (c) the relationships between HAI and loneliness outcomes, in social connectedness research. Studies including HAI (animal companions and animal-assisted interventions) have increased over time; many noting protection against loneliness and few noting health detriments. Older adults overwhelmingly consider interactions with companion animals as meaningful relationships, whether living at home or in care. Substantial knowledge gaps exist concerning the influence of HAI on perceived social connectedness for older adults living alone.

Evidence and change management often fit together in clinical settings. Evidence alone will not impact the quality of care unless it is carefully led and managed to embed the change in practice. Selecting good quality, relevant evidence that addresses a research question can be used to improve the quality of nursing care, inform new research and develop understanding of a topic. This is useful when seeking to implement policy or new strategies for nursing care. This article discusses various factors that may influence the decision-making process for managing change when seeking to introduce pet therapy to the older adult clinical setting.

Background:Eating disorders are a cluster of challenging psychiatric and medical conditions that constitute a major problem in adolescents and young adults. Animal-assisted interventions are currently a promising complementary therapy with great development in the hospital field.Methods:The study is a non-randomized clinical trial designed with two groups under assessment. The first group consisted of 15 female patients at a Day Hospital diagnosed with eating disorders who received animal-assisted therapy. The second group had a sample of 15 patients from the same hospital with similar diagnoses and matched characteristics to the intervention group. Anxiety, depression, eating symptoms, grip strength, and health-related quality of life were analyzed both previously and after the intervention.Results:ANOVA results showed a significant between-group reduction in the state anxiety levels (p = 0.011, ηp2 = 0.211), with a significant decrease in the intervention group (p = 0.003). Interpersonal distrust (p = 0.042) and fear of maturity (p = 0.012) subscales in the Eating Disorder Inventory (EDI2) questionnaire had larger improvement when comparing pre- and post-measures in the intervention group. A similar trend was observed for the rest of the eating symptoms subscales and grip strength in the group treated with the animal-assisted intervention.Conclusion:This study suggests that dog-assisted therapy may be an effective complementary intervention for reducing state anxiety in adolescents with eating disorders. Given the role of anxiety in the maintenance of anorexia nervosa, targeting this symptom could have therapeutic benefits. Additionally, improvements in interpersonal distrust and maturity fears were observed, highlighting the potential impact of animal-assisted therapy on specific psychological factors associated with eating disorders. These findings support the inclusion of dog-assisted interventions as part of multidisciplinary treatment approaches, although further research with larger samples is needed to confirm these effects.Clinical trial registration:clinicaltrials.gov (NCT04869423).

Autism, as a neurodevelopmental disorder with a complex etiology, continues to be a priority area of multidisciplinary research. Current evidence indicates a complex interaction between genetic, epigenetic, and environmental factors that contribute to the heterogeneous manifestation of the autism spectrum. Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) is characterized by: (1) impairments in the quality of communication and social interactions, and (2) restricted and repetitive behaviors, interests, and activities. In Romania, data collected by the Help Autism Association on individuals registered with social assistance services as of July 1, 2021, show the following: 13,992 children (ages 0–18) were diagnosed with ASD, of whom: 6,152 were enrolled in mainstream education, 3,446 were in special education, and 4,394 were not enrolled in any form of education. Additionally, 1,095 individuals with ASD exited social services in the last two years after reaching the age of 18. Early screening of young children is crucial for the timely detection of ASD, as various atypical behaviors often become apparent before the age of 3. These may include hand-flapping (similar to waving a flag), self-biting, head-banging, and other repetitive or self-injurious behaviors. Parental and caregiver education plays a critical role in the early identification and long-term management of ASD. Among the evidence-based interventions currently showing positive outcomes are: Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA), verbal behavior therapy, and animal-assisted therapy. Some studies have demonstrated that improvements in social communication and social cognition remained significant at both 8 weeks and 6 months after the end of therapeutic interventions. Although the etiology of autism is not yet fully understood, advances in the field are evident and essential for improving the quality of life of affected children, who cannot be held responsible for the onset of this neurobiological disorder.

BACKGROUND Post-COVID-19 condition (long COVID) is characterized by persistent symptoms following acute infection. Given the limited efficacy of pharmacologic treatments, there is growing interest in complementary, non-contact interventions. Virtual pet-assisted therapy (VAT), a virtual reality-based adaptation of animal-assisted therapy, may offer a novel strategy for symptom management in this population. MATERIAL AND METHODS A prospective intervention was conducted in the long COVID clinic at Juntendo University Hospital between July and December 2023. Adult patients with long COVID engaged with a virtual dog for 10 minutes prior to their clinical consultation. Twelve symptoms considered potentially responsive to short-term intervention were self-rated on a 10-point scale before and after the session, with scores representing mean values. RESULTS Forty-two participants (median age: 46 years; 71.4% female) were included in the analysis. The mean total symptom score decreased by 7.2%, from 34.6 points before the intervention to 32.1 points after (P=0.004). Fatigue scores decreased by 9.5% (from 6.3 to 5.7, P=0.004), dyspnea decreased by 17% (from 2.3 to 1.9, P=0.038), memory impairment decreased by 13% (from 4.8 to 4.2, P=0.015), and tinnitus decreased by 22% (from 2.3 to 1.8, P=0.012). CONCLUSIONS VAT could be a feasible and well-tolerated intervention worth further investigation as a potential adjunct for alleviating key symptoms of long COVID, particularly those with psychological components. Although this preliminary study is limited by the lack of a control group, it serves as a pilot study that demonstrates the potential of VAT.