Paws for Recovery: The Impact of Certified Therapy-Dog Visits on Anxiety in Adult Critical Care and Step-Down Patients
Honors Capstone Project
1
Advisor(s)
Dr. Megan Lieb, Dr. Jamie Craig
Confirmation
1
Document Type
Poster
Location
ONU McIntosh Center; Activities Room
Start Date
24-4-2026 11:00 AM
End Date
24-4-2026 11:50 AM
Abstract
Abstract
Problem: Anxiety and depression are common among adult patients admitted to inpatient critical care units due to environmental stressors, illness trajectory, and uncertainty regarding prognosis. Increased anxiety and depression are associated with poorer patient outcomes and prolonged hospitalizations. Certified therapy-dog visits in critical care settings may be a method to decrease anxiety and depression for this patient population.
Purpose: The purpose of this study is to examine the effect of certified therapy-dog visits on anxiety and depression levels among medically stable adult patients admitted to inpatient critical care units. Anxiety and depression levels will be measured using the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale Anxiety subscale (HADS-A).
Methods: A prospective pretest-posttest study design will be used. Medically stable adult patients, eighteen years and older, admitted to critical care or step-down units who are alert, able to self-report, and cleared for animal contact will be eligible to participate. Participants will receive a certified therapy-dog visit consisting of a twenty to thirty-minute session during hospitalization. Anxiety and depression will be measured using the HADS-A immediately before the therapy-dog visit and again following the visit to evaluate changes in patient-reported anxiety and depression.
Conclusion: This study will determine whether certified therapy-dog visits reduce anxiety and depression in patients admitted to critical care units, potentially supporting the integration of structured animal-assisted interventions into inpatient care.
Recommended Citation
Pfister, Caelyn M., "Paws for Recovery: The Impact of Certified Therapy-Dog Visits on Anxiety in Adult Critical Care and Step-Down Patients" (2026). ONU Student Research Colloquium. 38.
https://digitalcommons.onu.edu/student_research_colloquium/2026/Posters/38
Restricted
Available to ONU community via local IP address and ONU login.
Paws for Recovery: The Impact of Certified Therapy-Dog Visits on Anxiety in Adult Critical Care and Step-Down Patients
ONU McIntosh Center; Activities Room
Abstract
Problem: Anxiety and depression are common among adult patients admitted to inpatient critical care units due to environmental stressors, illness trajectory, and uncertainty regarding prognosis. Increased anxiety and depression are associated with poorer patient outcomes and prolonged hospitalizations. Certified therapy-dog visits in critical care settings may be a method to decrease anxiety and depression for this patient population.
Purpose: The purpose of this study is to examine the effect of certified therapy-dog visits on anxiety and depression levels among medically stable adult patients admitted to inpatient critical care units. Anxiety and depression levels will be measured using the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale Anxiety subscale (HADS-A).
Methods: A prospective pretest-posttest study design will be used. Medically stable adult patients, eighteen years and older, admitted to critical care or step-down units who are alert, able to self-report, and cleared for animal contact will be eligible to participate. Participants will receive a certified therapy-dog visit consisting of a twenty to thirty-minute session during hospitalization. Anxiety and depression will be measured using the HADS-A immediately before the therapy-dog visit and again following the visit to evaluate changes in patient-reported anxiety and depression.
Conclusion: This study will determine whether certified therapy-dog visits reduce anxiety and depression in patients admitted to critical care units, potentially supporting the integration of structured animal-assisted interventions into inpatient care.