title: Perceptions of a hospital-based animal assisted intervention program: An exploratory study.
abstract: Research has shown that there are multiple benefits of animal assisted interventions for patients. However, the impact of interaction with these animals in staff is understudied, particularly in the acute care setting, and is thus a novel contribution to the literature on human-animal interaction. The purpose of this qualitative pilot study was to contribute to the body of knowledge surrounding the experiences and perceptions of hospital staff who have participated in a hospital-based animal assisted intervention program. Nine face-to-face semi-structured interviews were conducted (4 staff nurses, 3 support staff members, and 2 hospital volunteers). Five themes emerged from the respondent interviews: (1) descriptions of the therapy dogs; (2) contacts with the dogs at work; (3) connection with the dogs outside of work; (4) benefits; (5) drawbacks. Our findings reflect abundantly positive hospital staff experiences.
authors.affiliation: Purdue University School of Nursing, 502N, University Street, West Lafayette, IN 47907, United States. Electronic address: kaabraha@purdue.edu.
authors.forename: Kathleen
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Abrahamson
authors.affiliation: Purdue University School of Nursing, 502N, University Street, West Lafayette, IN 47907, United States.
authors.forename: Yun
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Cai
authors.affiliation: Purdue University School of Nursing, 502N, University Street, West Lafayette, IN 47907, United States.
authors.forename: Elizabeth
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Richards
authors.affiliation: Butler University, Indianapolis, IN, United States.
authors.forename: Krista
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Cline
authors.affiliation: Purdue University School of Veterinary Science, West Lafayette, IN, United States.
authors.forename: Marguerite E
authors.initials: ME
authors.lastname: O'Haire
mesh_terms: D056447:Animal Assisted Therapy; D000818:Animals; D001291:Attitude of Health Personnel; D004285:Dogs; D006801:Humans; D010564:Personnel, Hospital / Q000523:psychology*; D010865:Pilot Projects
keywords: Acute care; Animal assisted activities; Animal assisted interventions; Hospital staff