Animal-assisted interventions research: issues and answers.
Animal visitation programs have been used in a wide variety of clinical settings with predominantly positive outcomes reported anecdotally. However, there is also a growing body of research investigating the effects of these interventions. Developing and conducting rigorous studies of animal interventions can be a complex and challenging process, The purpose of this article is to identify and discuss several issues arising with this type of research and to posit suggestions for avoiding pitfalls.
Johnson
Rebecca A
RA
Sinclair School of Nursing, University of Missouri-Columbia, USA.
Odendaal
Johannes S J
JS
Meadows
Richard L
RL
D000368:Aged; D000818:Animals; D006707:Homes for the Aged; D001841:Human-Animal Bond; D006801:Humans; D009735:Nursing Homes; D015399:Nursing Research / Q000379:methods*; D011613:Psychotherapy / Q000379:methods*