The Impact of Therapy Dogs on Anxiety and Emotional Management in the Pediatric Emergency Department

The Impact of Therapy Dogs on Anxiety and Emotional Management in the Pediatric Emergency Department

The purpose of this study is to assess the impact of therapy dogs on children's anxiety and emotional management during a visit to the pediatric emergency department.

Inclusion Criteria:

• Children with a SUD score of 30 or higher indicated by the caregiver

Exclusion Criteria:

• Active infection: abscesses, fever, respiratory issues, vomiting
• Patients presenting for burn care, dog bite, ESI triage category 1 or 2, or transferred from outside facilities
• Sterile procedures
• Oncology patients / patients with known neutropenia in past medical history
• Parent/caregiver or patient fear of dogs
• Parent/caregiver or patient allergy to dogs
• Dog bite injury
• Already underwent procedure during their visit