Effects of Animal Assisted Activity on Biobehavioral Stress Responses of Hospitalized Children: A Randomized Control Trial

Effects of Animal Assisted Activity on Biobehavioral Stress Responses of Hospitalized Children: A Randomized Control Trial

The purpose of this study is to assess the efficacy of a 10-minute therapy dog visitation (TDV) in reducing biobehavioral stress responses among hospitalized school-age children by comparing responses between TDV and non-TDV control groups.

Inclusion Criteria:

• understand English
• alert and oriented to person, place, and time
• able to complete study instruments
• able to provide saliva specimens, and
• consent from parent/legal guardian, and
• assent from child.

Exclusion Criteria:

• currently taking hormone replacement, or steroidal antiinflammatory medications
• in contact precautions at facility
• diagnosed with Addison's or Cushing's disease, and
• fears, phobias, or allergies to dogs.