Animal-Assisted Therapy
CLINICAL GUIDELINES
Animal-assisted therapy is a therapeutic aid involving the use of animals to promote beneficial responses from the patient. These responses include, but are not limited to, promoting attachment, bonding, pain management, stress management, motivation, support, communication, improved body image, physiologic stability, coping, and comfort.
Animal-assisted therapy animals are trained to participate in animal-assisted therapy visitation programs by certified organizations. This ensures that the animals used are of good temperament, are receiving adequate health maintenance, and are fully immunized.
Child/family consent for animal-assisted therapy is attained before the therapy.
Animal-assisted therapy animals are bathed by caretaker within 24 hours before the animal-assisted therapy visit. The animals should be free from ticks, fleas, and obvious signs of illness (e.g., skin infections, gastrointestinal disorders).
The facility establishes guidelines for transport of animal and caretaker to area where animal-assisted therapy will be administered.
Animals are escorted by caretaker in a carrier, or on a leash. The animal is identified as being in an animal-assisted intervention (AAI) program by a visible identifier such as a clean scarf, collar, harness, leash, tag, or other special identifier.
Animal-assisted therapy is contraindicated for children, and those present in their room with the following conditions:
Allergies to animal saliva, dander or urine
The presence of an open draining wound (not covered)
Dermatitis
Fear of animals
Immunocompromised children do not need to be excluded from interaction with animals, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), as long as the child is cleared by the healthcare prescriber in conjunction with the family caregivers.
The following animals are not suitable for animalassisted therapy in a healthcare facility due to the high risk of infectious zoonosis: reptiles, birds, rodents, and exotic nondomestic animals.
Animal-assisted therapy animals are kept from isolation rooms, food preparation areas or carts, linen, and supply rooms, medication preparation and storage areas, operating and procedure rooms, neonatal nurseries, and dialysis and burn units.
Provisions and arrangements for animal excrement, nutrition, and water needs are predetermined by the institution, the animal-assisted therapy organization, and the caretaker before the animal-assisted therapy visitation. If assistance is required for sanitation of animal excrement, use universal precautions and contact facility’s environmental services for a more thorough cleaning.
Report any scratches, bites, or any other inappropriate animal behaviors following institutional policy and ensure wounds are cleaned and treated immediately. Terminate the animal-assisted visit immediately after any bite or scratch.
Patient-owned animal visits may be permitted with the agreement of the primary healthcare prescriber, the infection control staff, and other authorities per institution policy. Arrangements must be made to control the visitation situation and minimize transmission of microorganisms.
EQUIPMENT
Certified therapy animal
Animal caretaker or handler
Clean towel/sheet if child is to hold the animal
Antiseptic handwash or antimicrobial soap and disposable washbasin or sink
CHILD AND FAMILY ASSESSMENT AND PREPARATION
Assess the child for contraindications to animal-assisted therapy, and obtain healthcare prescriber clearance for animal-assisted therapy if the child is immunocompromised. This ensures that animal-assisted therapy will not be administered inappropriately and put the child at undue risk for infection, allergies, or fear.
Explain the procedure, purpose of the procedure, and possible benefits of the procedure to the child (in an age-appropriate manner) and the family. This allows the child and family time to prepare and/or decline the intervention. Documented benefits include decreased blood pressure, decreased vital sign fluctuations, decreased muscle tension, and decreased risk for cardiovascular disease.
PROCEDUREProviding Animal-Assisted Therapy
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