The Impact of Therapy Dogs on Anxiety and Emotional Management in the Pediatric Emergency Department

Study Overview
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Brief Summary
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The purpose of this study is to assess the impact of therapy dogs on children's anxiety and emotional management during a visit to the pediatric emergency department.

Official Title
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The Impact of Therapy Dogs on Anxiety and Emotional Management in the Pediatric Emergency Department

Conditions
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Anxiety, Emotional Regulation

Intervention / Treatment
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* Behavioral: 10-minute visit with therapy dog and child life specialist handler


Participation Criteria
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Eligibility Criteria
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Inclusion Criteria: Children with a SUD score of 30 or higher indicated by the caregiver Exclusion Criteria: Active infection: abscesses, fever, respiratory issues, vomiting Patients presenting for burn care, dog bite, ESI triage category 1 or 2, or transferred from outside facilities Sterile procedures Oncology patients / patients with known neutropenia in past medical history Parent/caregiver or patient fear of dogs Parent/caregiver or patient allergy to dogs Dog bite injury Already underwent procedure during their visit

Ages Eligible for Study
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Minimum Age: 4 Years
Maximum Age: 12 Years

Sexes Eligible for Study
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All

Accepts Healthy Volunteers
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Accepts Healthy Volunteers

Study Plan
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How is the study designed?
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Arms and Interventions

| Participant Group/Arm | Intervention/Treatment |
| --- | --- |
| Pediatric patients ages 4-7 years old in the Pediatric Emergency Department<br>Patients will receive a 10-minute visit with therapy dog and child life handler | Behavioral: 10-minute visit with therapy dog and child life specialist handler<br>* A visit from a therapy dog and child life specialist will occur which will last for approximately 10 minutes. Parents and patients will be asked to sanitize their hand prior to the visit. The child life specialist will be instructed to have ad lib conversation with the family. The dog will remain on a leash during the visit. The patient will be free to pet the therapy dog if they wish.<br>|
| Pediatric patients ages 8-12 years old in the Pediatric Emergency Department<br>Patients will receive a 10-minute visit with therapy dog and child life handler | Behavioral: 10-minute visit with therapy dog and child life specialist handler<br>* A visit from a therapy dog and child life specialist will occur which will last for approximately 10 minutes. Parents and patients will be asked to sanitize their hand prior to the visit. The child life specialist will be instructed to have ad lib conversation with the family. The dog will remain on a leash during the visit. The patient will be free to pet the therapy dog if they wish.<br>|

What is the study measuring?
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Primary Outcome Measures

| Outcome Measure | Measure Description | Time Frame |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Change in observed anxiety score as measured by Child Emotional Manifestation Scale (CEMS) before and after therapy dog visit | To determine the change in emotional management in children aged 4-12 years after a visit from a therapy dog and child life specialist handler, as measured by an observed CEMS score (Children's Emotional Management Scale) before and after the visit. This will be completed by an investigator. Scores range from 5-25, with higher scores indicating higher levels of observed anxiety. | change from baseline at 20 minutes after intervention | 

Secondary Outcome Measures

| Outcome Measure | Measure Description | Time Frame |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Change in perceived anxiety level of patient by parent as measured by Subjective Units of Distress Scale (SUDs) before and after therapy Dog Visit | To determine the change in perceived level of child anxiety as reported by parents after a visit with a therapy dog and child life specialist handler. This will be measured using the Subjective Unit of Distress (SUD) score. Scores range from 0-100 with higher scores indicating higher levels of perceived anxiety by the parent. | change from baseline at 20 minutes after intervention | 
| Overall Parent Satisfaction | Parents will complete a survey describing their satisfaction with their visit | Immediately after completion of intervention | 

 Terms related to the study
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Keywords Provided by Centre Hospitalier Valida
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Pediatric Emergency Medicine, Therapy Animals, Animal Assisted Therapy, Anxiety, Emotional Regulation