Pet Visitation Research Articles

Family and Pet Visitation in the Critical Care Unit

Family and Pet Visitation in the Critical Care Unit

Acceptability and impact of pet visitation on a pediatric cardiology inpatient unit

We evaluated the effectiveness of a pet visitation program in helping children and their families adjust to hospitalization on a pediatric cardiology ward. Thirty-one pet visits were observed and followed by interviews with patients and parents. Analysis of data suggested that pet visits relieved stress, normalized the hospital milieu, and improved patient and parent morale. The benefit received by the subjects correlated with the amount of physical contact and rapport developed with the visiting animal. Copyright 2002, Elsevier Science (USA). All rights reserved.

Attitudes of paediatric medical ward staff to a dog visitation programme.

No previous studies regarding either structured, strictly controlled pet visitation programmes in paediatric hospital wards or hospital staff attitudes towards them have been conducted in Australia. Information regarding these is essential in order to minimize problems during implementation of such programmes. The aim of the study was to analyse hospital staff perceptions regarding the introduction of a pet visitation programme in an acute paediatric medical ward prior to and following implementation of the programme and to compare attitudes between the various professional groups. The study consisted of two cross-sectional surveys. A total of 224 anonymous questionnaires were distributed to administrators, doctors, nursing staff and therapists 6 weeks before and 195 were distributed 12 weeks after the introduction of a pet visitation programme. Responses were received from 115 respondents (before the programme introduction) and 45 respondents (after the programme introduction). Prior to the introduction of the dog visitation programme, there were high staff expectations that the programme would distract children from their illness, relax children and that it was a worthwhile project for the hospital to undertake. Following implementation of the programme these expectations were strongly endorsed, in addition to the perception that the ward was a happier place, the work environment was more interesting and that nurses accepted the dogs. After implementation staff were less concerned about the possibility of dog bites and dogs doing damage to equipment. Allied health staff and non-clinical staff were more positive about the programme with respect to ward climate and acceptance than were doctors and nurses. We conclude that well-planned dog visitation programmes result in positive anticipation among staff and high levels of satisfaction following programme impact.

Attachment styles impact on pet visitation effectiveness

This paper describes a field study on the effects of attachment styles on the subjective well-being of institutionalized older persons after participating in a pet visitation program. We compared how attachment style (i.e., secure, anxious ambivalent, dismissive avoidant, and fearful avoidant) moderated the impact of a dog visitation program in 52 elderly residents of an assisted-living facility. Controlling for pre-visitation mood, the results revealed that the secure style related to increases in positive mood after interacting with the dogs. The anxious ambivalent style related to increases in positive mood and decreases in ratings of depression. Most importantly, the fearful avoidant style related to increases in depression after interacting with the dogs. The results highlight the notion that not all participants benefit from taking part in pet visitation programs. Theoretically, this study presents preliminary evidence for the relevance of attachment styles in understanding human–pet interactions.

Designing humanistic critical care environments.

The critical care environment can be designed to become more humanistic. Consideration of the environmental challenges of noise, lights, color, views, temperature, and comfort is essential. This article identifies the issues and concerns in the design of more humanistic healing in critical care units. Strategies to improve the environment include improving the physical and emotional tone of the unit through creative design, family and pet visitation, sleep promotion, and aromatherapy among others. In a life-threatening illness, attention paid to these concerns may significantly improve quality of life for patients and family.

Unique aspects of caring for dying children and their families.

Pediatric hospice has become an important service for children and their families in the past decade. In this article we present unique aspects of StarShine, the hospice of Children's Hospital Medical Center in Cincinnati, Ohio. Length-of-service data demonstrate the need to find innovative ways of encouraging earlier referral to hospice. Several specialized aspects of care, such as long-term bereavement, pet visitation and social services for the family are presented. The initiation of a novel in-home pain management program is described. StarShine has not followed an adult hospice model, and as such, we discuss those unique aspects of dying pediatric patients and suggest specific solutions and interventions designed for children.

Implementation of a pet visitation program in critical care

We have no quantitative research data to document that these visits are actually helpful to patients in any measurable way, although we certainly hope to have some soon. However, observations of staff members and evaluations from participants in the program have been quite positive thus far. The program has been in place for more than 2 years, and about 30 pets have visited so far, including 28 dogs and 2 cats. Implementing a pet visitation program for critically ill patients affords healthcare providers the opportunity to offer a unique and humanistic therapeutic intervention to appropriate patients. Although it is a time-consuming endeavor, it has been well received by those patients and families that have participated in pet visits. Critically ill patients are often denied many simple pleasures because they are in physiological crisis. Such patients experience loneliness, isolation, depression, and lack of emotional support. Pet visitation is one way to address these common problems of ICU patients. For this reason, pet visitation will remain a therapeutic option for the support of our critically ill patients.

Family and pet visitation in the critical care unit

Family and pet visitation in the critical care unit

The Therapeutic Value of the Human-Animal Connection

The purpose of this study was to explore the characteristics of pet therapy which promote positive experiences and health in the elderly. Data were obtained through observations of pet therapy sessions, through interviews with a pet therapy provider, and residents of a long-term care facility who participated in pet therapy, and from the reflections of my (first author) own experiences as a pet therapy volunteer. The results revealed four characteristics which contributed to the benefits received by participants: (a) humanness; (b) anticipation and continuity; (c) ability to facilitate reminiscence; and (d) social aspects. The findings supported previous research by providing evidence of the value of pet visitation. In addition, ways in which these four qualities may enhance the physical, cognitive and social-emotional benefits received by nursing home residents participating in pet therapy and other activities is discussed.

Pet visitation is an infection control issue?

Pet visitation is an infection control issue?

Psychological Needs Filled by Avian Companions

AbstractPets are immensely popular in this country. However, the complex nature of human-animal interactions and the importance of these animals in everyday lives are not yet thoroughly understood. The human psychological needs that pet birds fulfill are even less understood than the role of other pets, such as dogs and cats. To compile a list of psychological needs filled by avian companions, 80 bird owners were asked to complete a survey that explored the nature of their relationships with their birds in everyday situations. Results revealed that avian companions most often filled human social needs, followed to a lesser degree by esteem and cognitive needs. The profile of human psychological needs filled by pet birds provides additional rationale and criteria for the use of pet birds in animal-assisted therapy and pet visitation programs.

Effects of Pet and/or People Visits on Nursing Home Residents

A previous study by the author supported the recently popular idea that live pet-visits increased desirable behaviors in nursing home residents such as smiling and alertness, but it also suggested that people-visits may be even more effective. The purpose of the present study was therefore to compare the effects of different visiting programs (people-alone, people-plus-pets, pets-alone and no visit) on the behaviors of nursing home residents (proximity, talking, smiling, ambulation, alertness). All three visiting programs of people-alone, people-plus-pets, and pets-alone increased the behaviors of smiling and alertness in comparison to control conditions in the nursing home lounge. Close proximity to the person-alone visitor was, however, associated with the greatest number of positive resident behaviors. Future research is suggested to examine the characteristics that make effective pet and person visitors for nursing home residents.

Project Pup: The Perceived Benefits to Nursing Home Residents

This study documents the perceived value of a pet-facilitated therapy program (Project PUP) to a large number of residents (7,500) in a large number (70) of nursing homes over an extended period of time. The perceived benefits of the program as viewed by both givers (volunteers) and receivers (nursing homes) of the pet visits were very similar. The most highly rated benefits from the Project PUP program appear to relate to a general area which might be termed as “improved quality of life.”

Effects of Pet Visitations on Semiambulatory Nursing Home Residents: Problems in Assessment

To evaluate the use of a pet visitation program in a nursing home, eight residents were visited individually, three days per week, for a period of eight weeks. In alternate two-week periods, the visits included a community volunteer and their dog. Measures on a Daily Attitude Index, a biweekly happiness index, and a daily nurse's scale were recorded. The results showed that both the Daily Attitude and the happiness measures were unaffected by pet visitations. The nurse's scale, however, revealed increases on the well-being and attitude measures and these were maintained throughout the visitation period but increases in social activity did not generalize beyond the pet visits. These results suggest that the reported beneficial effects of pet visitation programs may partly result from the specific behavior being monitored.