A. Mateos (2023) investigated the emotional effects of dog therapy in children aged 6–17 hospitalized for illnesses or injuries. Hospitalization often causes stress, fear, and anxiety, leading to psychological distress for children and their families. This study proposed a structured comparison between therapy dog sessions and interactions with plush toy dogs.
Key Findings:
- Anxiety reduction: Children who interacted with therapy dogs showed a significant drop in anxiety levels after the first session, while those with plush animals did not.
- Happiness boost: Therapy dogs were linked to a measurable increase in happiness, confirmed through psychological scales and physiological measures such as salivary cortisol and oxytocin.
- Emotional comfort: Interactions with therapy dogs helped children cope with the fear of unfamiliar medical environments, invasive procedures, and separation from family.
- Therapeutic potential: Findings suggest therapy dogs could serve as effective complementary treatment alongside traditional hospital care.
Conclusion: Dog therapy presents a valuable tool for improving the hospital experience for children, offering emotional support that reduces fear and strengthens well-being. Implementing therapy dogs more broadly in pediatric settings worldwide could help children manage hospitalization stress and promote resilience.
Source: Mateos, A. (2023). The Impact of Dog Therapy on Anxiety and Happiness in Hospitalized Children. Authors: A. Mateos. Journal: Proposed study (unpublished in a specific journal at time of reference). Year: 2023.
