“Pawsitive” touch: Investigating the impact of facility dogs on pediatric patient coping through the lens of child life

Abstract

With pediatric healthcare necessitating psychosocial supports to educate and normalize the medical environment for children and families, facility dogs have become an increasingly popular feature of children’s hospitals. While facility dog programs continue to grow through rapid and abundant support of anecdotal data, few bodies of literature have observed the specific scope and practice and psychosocial impact of facility dog interventions on pediatric patients. Being that facility dogs are often paired with Certified Child Life Specialists (CCLS) as their handlers, the researcher gathered insight from 71 CCLSs who completed an online research survey to share their observations and assessments of facility dog impacts. The aim of the mixed-methods study stands to observe the impact of facility dog interventions on pediatric patients’ psychosocial wellness. Moreover, with the incorporation of a phenomenological theory methodology, the study looks at the effectiveness of facility dogs who work alongside their handler—a CCLS—and gain insight from such handlers on their assessments and observations of implications and potential practices. Results reflected positive insight and observations tied to the unique abilities of facility dogs on pediatric patient response and experience. More specifically, participants noted significant observations and assessments reflecting reduced fear and medical stress, along with improved patient compliance, emotional regulation, and engagement with staff with the incorporation of facility dog interventions. Beyond patient coping, facility dogs were also recognized as holding an optimal partnership with CCLSs, along with great potential for staff support and collaboration. The conclusions of the study stem from positive results, carrying into the understanding that facility dogs appear to play a vital role in providing individualized support for pediatric patients and families. In essence, the conclusions of the study reflect abundant potential in ways of expanding facility dog supports for a greater reach and impact among pediatric patients, families, and hospitals, as well.