Researchers conducted the study at the Royal University Hospital in Saskatoon, Saskatchewan, Canada, the first hospital in Canada to allow therapy dog visits in its emergency department. The hospital has up to six trained therapy dogs visiting the ED several days a week.
They examined 124 patients, including those with cardiac issues, fractures and chronic pain, who spent10 to 30 minutes with the dog. The patients filled out questionnaires before and after meeting the therapy dog.
Researchers found that the patients’ distress levels decreased and their perceived comfort levels increased after interacting with the dog. About 80 percent of patients expressed happiness during the visit and said they felt calmer afterward.
Additionally, 60 percent patted, stroked or cuddled the dog during the visit.
“With waiting times consistently high in emergency departments, it suggests that therapy dogs may have a broader therapeutic role to play comforting patients in distress and pain,” said professor Colleen Dell, PhD, research chair in One Health & Wellness at University of Saskatchewan’s College of Arts and Science and co-leader of the study.
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