Perioperative nursing and animal-assisted therapy

Area of Science:

• Veterinary Medicine
• Human Health
• Psychology

Background:

• Animal interactions positively impact physiological and psychological well-being.
• Animal-assisted therapy (AAT) is a growing field in healthcare.
• Perioperative care presents unique challenges for patient recovery.

Observation:

• Trained therapy animals can be integrated into perioperative patient care.
• AAT can help manage patient stress and anxiety.
• Therapy animals can motivate patients and encourage activity.

Findings:

• Preoperative stress reduction.
• Enhanced patient attitude and motivation.
• Increased postoperative physical activity.
• Potential reduction in pain medication requirements.

Implications:

• AAT programs can improve the perioperative patient experience.
• Establishing AAT requires clear policies addressing infection control and patient safety.
• Further research and structured implementation are key for successful AAT programs.