RESEARCH - Can Therapy Dogs Reduce Sedation in Children Undergoing Surgery?

The Human Animal Bond Research Initiative (HABRI) has awarded a $79,000 grant to the University of Tennessee College of Veterinary Medicine for a new study, The Effect of Animal-Assisted Intervention on Preoperative Anxiety and Dose of Sedation in Children.

“The goal of this study is to determine if interaction with a therapy dog 20 minutes prior to surgery has a significant effect on reducing a child’s anxiety levels and, in turn, lowering the dose of medication necessary for sedation,” said the study’s principal investigator, Zenithson Y. Ng, DVM, MS.

The three-year, cross-over-designed study will examine 72 children between the ages of 2 and 17 and randomly determine whether the child receives a therapy dog or an iPad tablet 20 minutes before sedation.

The children’s heart rate, blood pressure and medicine levels for sedation will be evaluated and compared in each group.

There is an expectation the children who interact with a therapy animal will have decreased anxiety and require less medication.

“Scientific research has shown that therapy dogs in hospital settings can have a calming effect, ease stress and provide reassurance to patients young and old, and to their families as well,” said HABRI Executive Director Steven Feldman.

“HABRI’s grant to the University of Tennessee will help advance the science on the benefits of companion animals in hospital settings. The more we can demonstrate the positive role pets can play in human health, the more people can benefit from the healing power of the human-animal bond.”

The Human Animal Bond Research Initiative (HABRI) Foundation is a non-profit research and education organization that is gathering, funding and sharing scientific research to demonstrate the positive health impacts of companion animals.

What Effects Do Pets Have on Human Health?

A team of researchers at the Markham Stouffville Hospital will begin studying the link between pet ownership and human health. The research is funded by the Human Animal Bond Research Initiative (HABRI). HABRI has provided $55,000 USD to Dr. Alan Monavvari to measure how pets factor into the doctor-patient relationship. Monavvari said, “There are several studies that show a good relationship with your primary care physician leads to better health.” When doctors are able to discuss pets with their patients it may allow doctors to evaluate their patients better.

Over 200 Canadian primary care practitioners will participate in the study. Practitioners include doctors, nurses, social workers, and psychologists. Each practitioner will ask the following questions:

1. Who lives in your home including companion animals?
2. How many, and what species?

Practitioners will complete surveys at the beginning and end of data collection. They will also be provided with support material during data collection.

Veterinarian and co-investigator, Dr. Kate Hodgson said, “They’re important questions because you’re actually asking about something I care about a lot. For patients with pets it might be the question you never asked before that really opens the door.” People are likely to share more information about their lives when their primary care practitioner shows an interest in what is important to the patient. Knowing more about the patient’s life also helps practitioners better tailor the approach they take with their patient. Dr. Hodgson said, “We now know that people who smoke are more likely to try to stop smoking to protect their pet. For some patients it’s by far the most powerful motivator you could tap into.”

Previous research has also shown that companion animals can lower human blood pressure, help people make healthier lifestyle choices, and owners have fewer medical appointments and faster recovery after surgeries. While there have been over 75 research studies published regarding the health benefits of pets, this is the first study to examine the relationship between patients and their pets.

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