Evaluating Therapy Dog Visits to Increase Walking and Improve Recovery in Adult and Pediatric Trauma Patients During Hospital Stay

What this Trial Is About

This research investigates whether walking with a certified therapy dog can help both adult and pediatric trauma patients increase their movement during hospital recovery. Early mobility after injury or surgery is important to prevent complications like blood clots and muscle loss, but pain and anxiety often make it difficult for patients to walk. The study aims to see if animal-assisted therapy can improve physical activity and emotional well-being in hospitalized trauma patients. Participants complete two walking sessions during their hospital stay one with a therapy dog and handler present, and one without a dog, using standard physical therapy or nursing-led walks. The order of these sessions is randomized so patients either walk with the dog first or without the dog first. Therapy dogs are nationally certified and follow strict safety protocols. Throughout the study, researchers measure how far and how long patients walk, and patients fill out surveys before and after each walk to report on pain, anxiety, motivation, and satisfaction with mobility. These measurements include validated pain scales like the Defense & Veterans Pain Rating Scale and Wong-Baker Faces Scale, as well as anxiety assessments and motivation ratings. The study will analyze whether therapy dog visits lead to better walking outcomes and reduced pain and anxiety compared to standard mobilization during hospital recovery. The trial includes both adult and pediatric trauma patients aged 4 to 99 years.

Animal Assisted Therapy