Facility dogs and child life: synthesizing psychosocial therapies

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Date
2021
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Publisher
University of Alabama Libraries
Abstract

Animal-assisted therapy (AAT) is used to promote coping in stressful situations by allowing a recipient to experience a therapeutic interaction with a trained therapy animal, usually a dog. One type of therapy dog, known as facility dogs, are specifically trained to accompany their handler, often a psychosocial trained professional, and help them complete their job duties. Many children’s hospitals around the United States have facility dog programs in which a trained AAT dog goes to work daily with a psychosocial healthcare worker, such as a Certified Child Life Specialist (CCLS). The purpose of this case study was to gain insight into how child life specialists who are facility dog handlers prioritize and assess patients, the benefits and difficulties of their job, and the appreciation they receive. Participants were four CCLSs, two of which were a primary handler and two who were secondary handlers. Participants were asked to record information on a checklist after each interaction for 10 total workdays and completed a semi-structured interview. Findings indicated that participants primarily saw patients between the ages of three to eleven, and the most common intervention provided was general anxiety and coping support. In the interviews, the participants mentioned that it is the dog’s specific training, therapeutic value, and ability to bond with patients that allows these interactions to be so successful and impactful. This study provides a foundation for child life programs around the country who want to incorporate this therapeutic modality into their services offered.

Description
Electronic Thesis or Dissertation
Keywords
Health sciences
Citation