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Through the years, the range of services involving animals benefiting people, often described as “animal-assisted interventions” (AAIs), has been plagued with confusing and inconsistent taxonomy, terminology, and definitions. This has caused difficulties for the delineation of roles of service providers, for the recipients of services, as well as for the preparation, training, and expectations of the animals that work in different roles. It can be argued that these difficulties have compromised the development of the field in terms of establishing agreed standards of practice, qualifications, and competencies and adopting good animal welfare practices. It has also likely limited the base of evidence, as search terms used to access studies are not consistent, and study protocols are difficult to compare, lacking uniformity in terminology. Additionally, the current terminology cannot accommodate the expansion and diversification of programs in recent years, which is likely to continue as the field evolves. Establishing internationally agreed upon uniform taxonomy, terminology, and definitions is crucial to more accurately reflect the key features of different approaches, to define the scope and competencies for different service providers and their animals, to provide transparency about services for recipients, and to ensure the appropriate preparation, training, and support of the animals that work with them., The recommendations in this article are the result of an international work group that convened over the course of two years. The umbrella term animal-assisted services (AAS) is proposed, defined as services that are facilitated, guided or mediated by a health or human service provider or educator, who works with and maintains the welfare of a specially alongside a specially qualifying animal to provide therapeutic, educational, supportive and/or ameliorative processes aimed at enhancing the well-being of humans. AAS are further categorized into three main areas: treatment, education, and support programs. A recommendation for provider-specific terminology is also suggested. The aim of these proposals is to set clear expectations and boundaries for each specialty of practice, without compromising the richness and diversity of each approach. The adoption of this new umbrella term and its categories is intended to improve clarity for all involved in the receipt and delivery of services, as well as for those who study their effects.

Background: The role of animal-assisted therapy (AAT) in complementary and alternative medicine is well acknowledged. AAT is widely patronized, in developed countries such as USA, Canada, and many European countries, but less so in developing countries in Africa including Ghana. For persons in developing African countries and elsewhere to benefit from AAT, healthcare professionals must be acquainted with it recommend it to their patients when necessary. This study therefore assessed the perspectives of clinical-level medical students on AAT. Method: A semi-structured questionnaire was used to collect data in a cross-sectional study from 206 randomly selected clinical-level medical students of the University for Development Studies, Tamale, Ghana. The data was analyzed using Microsoft Excel and SPSS (Version 26) and the results were presented in Tables and charts. The association between demographic variables and the knowledge and attitude of the students were determined using ANOVA, while bivariate Pearson's correlation was used to measure the relationships between continuous variables. Associations were considered significant when p-value < 0.05. Results: The knowledge about AAT among the medical students was very poor (0.971 ± 2.407 over 10; 9.7%); almost all of them (≈ 99.0%) had very little or no exposure to AAT in school or at home. The attitude of the students was however averagely positive (3.845 ± 0.748 over 7; 54.9%), with a perceived health benefit of ATT score of 4.768 ± 1.002 (68.1%). The motivation of the students to acquire more knowledge and skills about AAT mostly through lectures and practical sessions (70.9%) was good (4.809 ± 1.221; 68.7%). Female students were significantly more knowledgeable about AAT than their male counterparts (1.5 versus 0.6; p-value = 0.006). No other sociodemographic characteristics had any significant association with knowledge, attitude, and perception of benefit variables. However, a significant positive relationship was found to exist between the students' knowledge, attitude and perception of animal-assisted therapy (r ≥ 0.236; p-value ≤ 0.001). Conclusion: We conclude that the knowledge about AAT among medical students is inadequate and this is worrying given the beneficial complementary role of AAT in achieving SDG 3. Medical schools and their regulators in Ghana should incorporate complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) lessons in their training curricula. For practising medical doctors, topics on CAM should be discussed during their Continuous Professional Development sessions. With better knowledge, physicians would possibly be more willing and confident in recommending this useful complementary and alternative medicine to patients who may seek other forms of therapy besides conventional medicine or which will augment the orthodox medication the patients may have been using to treat their conditions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

High levels of stress have a detrimental impact on veterinary staff, negatively influencing their mental health and contributing to high rates of suicide. Veterinary social workers are tasked with providing interventions to reverse these consequences and support the professional's health and well-being. Twenty-one veterinary staff participated in a study to evaluate the impact of animal-assisted support. Over three months, participants attended one or two therapy dog visits per month, interacting with therapy dogs for a minimum of 10 minutes each session. Pre- and postmeasures of blood pressure, heart rate, and self-reported stress were taken at each session. A measure to assess compassion fatigue and satisfaction was administered at the end of each session, and at the conclusion of the study participants' thoughts about the visits from the therapy dogs were assessed. Significant reductions in systolic and diastolic blood pressure were found as well as significantly lower ratings of self-reported stress. Additionally, participants looked forward to these visits stating they made them happy, helped them feel better, and took their mind off their troubles. Considering the growing utilization of therapy dogs, this timely study adds to the body of evidence, highlighting the benefits of animal-assisted interventions with veterinarian staff. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This article describes course-based projects in a Masters of Social Work class designed to explore the importance of environmental issues on the interactions between humans and animals. Three service-learning projects were implemented within a community "EarthFest" event to promote increased awareness of sustainability and actions to protect the environment while enhancing both welfare of animals and health and human well-being. Therapy and robotic animals were integrated into the projects to provide direct, hands-on benefits and interaction for participants. These projects reinforced social work values of service and social justice while developing student's skills in creating and facilitating an animal-assisted activity focused on sustainability. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Research on animals in residential aged care facilities (RACFs) mainly focuses on the residents with little apparent concern for animal welfare. In the context of documented human welfare breaches in the sector the question arises - how do Australian RACF approach animal welfare. To understand animals’ lived experiences in this context experienced dog-trainers with RACF employment history were interviewed. These experts were recruited using snowball sampling, with nine participating in semi-structured interviews about their experience of visiting and live-in animals in Australian RACFs. While initial inductive coding produced six themes (residents, animals, handlers, staff, facility and policy) pervasive animal welfare issues were noted. The outcomes of a subsequent, deductive, recoding using a welfare framework are reported here. Overall, with a focus on residents, and in a context of inadequate staffing, training and oversight, the interviews demonstrate systemic potential for compromised animal welfare with examples of dogs being frightened and one accidentally poisoned. These examples and the need to develop legislation and guidelines to guide safe, ethical, animal contact in RACFs are discussed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Hepatocellular cancer (HCC) remained a life-threatening carcinoma. Agents for HCC imaging and therapy were expected to possess different intratumoral retention time. To construct an agent with different intratumoral retention time when applied for tumor imaging or therapy remained great values. A lasialoglycoprotein receptor (ASGPR) targeted lactobionic acid derivative (LABO) was constructed for fluorescent imaging and photodynamic therapy of HCC. 18F labeled LABO (18F-LABO) was developed for PET imaging of HCC. LABO and 18F-LABO showed similar molecular structure. LABO exhibited characteristic of viscosity and concentration-induced intratumoral in-situ self-assembly to expand the intratumoral retention. LABO was non-fluorescent at free stage, but emitted NIR fluorescence and generated irradiation-induced ROS after self-assembly for fluorescent imaging and photodynamic therapy. ASGPR specificity of LABO and 18F-LABO was confirmed using HepG2 cell. Biodistribution and fluorescent imaging confirmed the different tumor retention time of LABO and 18F-LABO when used for photodynamic therapy and PET imaging. PET imaging and photodynamic therapy were performed on HepG2 tumor bearing mice, which revealed that 18F-LABO/LABO could specifically accumulated in the HepG2 tumor for tumor location/inhibition. LABO/18F-LABO with excellent HCC specificity but different intratumoral behaviors showed great values for the PET/NIR imaging and photodynamic therapy for HCC. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Humans can form an intense bond with their pets through shared love, attachment, and amusement. Through this case study, nurses can develop an increased understanding of how companion pets affect the quality of life of patients with cancer. Oncology nurses may incorporate the awareness of this relationship between patients and their pets into patient care. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background/Objectives: Understanding movement development in children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is critical for creating effective intervention strategies. This study aims to explore parental perspectives on the movement development of children with ASD, focusing on identifying common challenges and successful strategies. The objective is to analyze the experiences of parents to highlight the most effective approaches to support motor, communication, and social skills development in these children. Methods: Using a qualitative approach, we conducted in-depth interviews with parents of children with ASD. The data were analyzed using open and selective coding to identify key themes related to movement development challenges and strategies. The analysis included cross-referencing with the existing literature to support parental insights. Results: This study identified several key themes, including communication barriers, social interaction difficulties, and the importance of personalized movement programs. Parents reported significant challenges in understanding and addressing their children's movement needs, particularly in group settings. However, activities such as water programs, music and dance, and animal-assisted therapies were found to be highly engaging. Motivation was a critical factor, with rewards and active parental involvement enhancing participation. Conclusions: This study highlights the crucial role of a supportive environment, including professional guidance and family support, in the success of movement development programs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Animal‐assisted interventions (AAIs) have the potential to enhance people's well‐being and function and are increasingly being implemented across a range of settings. This scoping review explored how AAIs have been used in adult hospital rehabilitative care. Using JBI and PRISMA‐ScR guidelines, a systematic search of four databases was undertaken. Inclusion criteria involved adults, aged >18 years, who had received AAIs in the hospital rehabilitation setting. Twenty‐two articles met the inclusion criteria. Results identified two intervention types: visitation activities (n = 8 studies) and structured therapeutic interventions (n = 14 studies). Dogs were the most common animal species. Improvements in social and emotional well‐being were reported across both types of interventions, with improvements in ambulation, motor skills, and verbal communication reported by those engaged in structured therapeutic interventions. Implementation challenges included a dependency on volunteer dog‐handlers; the need for better recording of interventions in medical records to enable evaluation; and cost, safety, infection control, and animal welfare considerations. Strengthening the planning of AAIs is fundamental for the realization of potential outcomes from human–animal interactions in hospital rehabilitative care. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background. In recent years, the size of geriatric population seems to have grown larger than that of younger children and is expected to grow even larger in few years from now. As older individuals are more vulnerable to health concerns and loneliness, it is necessary to focus on providing them opportunities for healthy ageing. Animalassisted therapy (AAT) has emerged as one of the simple yet effective approach to enhance physical, psychological, and social well-being in older adults. Methods. This review article presents collective information from various experiments on AAT's effectiveness in promoting healthy ageing. Results. The physiological impacts of AAT, on cardiovascular health, mobility, and day to day activities have been discussed. The psychological benefits of AAT, such as improvement of mood, cognition, and alleviation of anxiety, loneliness, and depression, are explored. This review also presents the possible mechanisms underlying the effectiveness of AAT, such as release of oxytocin, dopamine, and endorphins, which contribute to emotional well-being along with reduction of stress. The human-animal bond established during AAT sessions is discussed as a significant factor in promoting positive outcomes. Challenges faced and limitations involved in employing therapy animals within ageing populations are also discussed. Conclusions. Avenues for future research and potential applications of AAT in diverse healthcare settings are proposed, emphasizing the need for further empirical investigation to fully elucidate the mechanisms and benefits of AAT for healthy ageing. Through this comprehensive review, we aim to highlight the potential of AAT as a holistic intervention to enhance the well-being of older adults, providing valuable insights for healthcare practitioners, researchers, and policymakers invested in promoting healthy ageing strategies. Clin Ter 2024; 175 (5):362-369 doi: 10.7417/ CT.2024.5126 [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The rationale of this study was to evaluate the efficacy of Dog-assisted Therapy (DAT) in children and adolescents with Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder (FASD). We conducted a randomized controlled trial in a cohort of 71 children and adolescents with FASD. Participants were randomly assigned either to DAT group (n = 38) or Relaxation Group (control group) (n = 33). Results revealed that participants who were assigned to the DAT group experienced significantly reduced externalizing symptoms (CBCL Externalizing Inattention: t (69) = 2.81, p =.007; d = 0.7); CBCL Opposition: t (69) = 2.54, p =.013; d = 0.6), reduced internalizing symptoms (CBCL Social problems: t (69) = 3.21, p =.002; d = 0.8) as well as improvements on social skills (SSIS-P Problem behavior: t (68) = 2.55, p =.013; d = 0.6), and quality of life (KidScreen Autonomy and Parents: t (51) = − 2.03, p =.047; d = 0.5) compared to the relaxation control group. The relaxation control group obtained significant differences between the pre- and post-treatment evaluation, diminishing withdraw symptoms (t (32) = 3.03, p =.005; d = 0.2). Results suggest that DAT and relaxation may be promising adjunctive treatments for children and adolescents with FASD. Clinical trial registration information:http://clinicaltrials.gov/; NCT04038164. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: Animal‐assisted and nature‐based interventions in psychosocial treatment for various groups of clients have been studied internationally. However, there is little knowledge about how young adults with autism experience participation in such types of interventions. This clinical study aimed to describe the feasibility of animal‐assisted and nature‐based activities on a farm as a complementary intervention for young adults with autism and social withdrawal. Methods: The participants were aged 18–30 years, diagnosed with autism and social withdrawal, with no organised occupation during the previous year. Eleven of 13 participants completed a 12‐week intervention in small groups. They took part in interviews before and after, which focused on their current life situation and expectations about, and experiences of the intervention. The feasibility was described in terms of participants' characteristics, attendance, and their experiences of participating in the activity. Data were analysed with descriptive statistics and qualitative content analysis. Consumer and community involvement: The intervention was formed in collaboration with participating supervisors, ordinary clinical staff, and a young woman with a user perspective. Findings: The level of feasibility was found to be high. The mean participation rate during the activity days was 75% and varied from 50 to 100%. The analysis of the participants' experiences from the activity generated three categories, "Being in a meaningful context", "Creating a comfort zone" and "Developing structure in everyday life", and each of these included sub‐categories. Conclusion: The main categories revealed a dynamic process based in meaningfulness, comfort and structure in everyday life. The positive experiences of undemanding activities, emotional relationships and non‐verbal communication with the horses were prominent and might facilitate the development of social interaction. However, the intervention's timeframe of 12 weeks was experienced as too short for long‐lasting change. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: The manifestation of complex trauma results from exposure to severe and repetitive stressors occurring within the caregiver system. Frequently associated with child maltreatment, complex trauma can lead to impairments in multiple domains, including attachment, affect and behavioural regulation, and cognition. Treatments, including Trauma-Focused Cognitive Behavioural Therapy, have been shown to be efficacious, but high attrition rates point to the need for complementary methods that boost client retention and treatment efficacy. This systematic review examines whether dog-assisted therapy has beneficial impacts on the treatment of complex trauma and whether it can decrease treatment attrition among children presenting with complex trauma exposure. Methods: We followed PRISMA guidelines to locate relevant research reports. Seven published research reports matched the inclusion criteria. Results: Dog-assisted therapy may increase the efficacy of standard interventions for complex trauma, although only one study formally assessed treatment retention. Across most studies, there is an overall lack of detailed information on the nature of therapeutic activities involving the dog and how these activities may complement or enhance therapy as usual. Studies were of varying methodological quality, impacting the reliability of findings. Conclusions: Future studies should aim to better describe and justify dog-assisted therapy techniques and evaluate these in comparison with standard evidence-based approaches to the treatment of childhood complex trauma. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Academic support services can improve undergraduate and graduate nursing program outcomes such as program completion and passing the NCLEX. Academic success coaching complements traditional support strategies by providing study skills and time management tools, promoting goal setting and self-efficacy, and referring students to support resources. This review examined interventions that academic success coaches use to improve student success and retention, licensing examination pass rates, and academic success. Method: A scoping literature review identified types of interventions that resulted in significant improvement in student academic and holistic success. Results: Four classes of interventions were identified as effective in supporting student success: (1) academic support; (2) social and emotional support; (3) clinical guidance; and (4) course and program design. Conclusion: Academic coaches are educated to identify student needs, provide support, and refer students to resources to improve academic outcomes. Future research should evaluate the need for academic success coaches to promote academic nursing student success. [J Nurs Educ. 2024;63(8):515–524.] [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: The need for an interval between the administration of long-acting Somatostatin Receptor Analogues (SSA) and the [68Ga]Ga-DOTA-TATE PET has been questioned based on recent literature in the new EANM guidelines. Here an earlier studies showed that SSA injection immediately before SSTR PET had minimal effect on normal organ and tumor uptake (1). However, data are scarce and there are (small) differences between [68Ga]Ga-DOTA-TATE and [68Ga]Ga-DOTA-TOC binding affinity, and it remains unknown whether these findings can be directly translated to scans with [68Ga]Ga-DOTA-TOC as well. The purpose of this study was to assess the effect of SSA use on the biodistribution in a subsequent [68Ga]Ga-DOTA-TOC PET/CT and compare this intra-individually across several cycles of SSA treatments. Methods: Retrospectively, 35 patients with NENs were included. [68Ga]Ga-DOTA-TOC PET at staging and after the 1st and 2nd cycle of SSA were included. SUVmean and SUVmax of blood, visceral organs, primary tumor and two metastases were determined. Also, the interval between SSA therapy and the PET scan was registered. Results: Treatment with SSA resulted in a significantly higher bloodpool activity and lower visceral tracer uptake. This effect was maintained after a 2nd cycle of SSA therapy. Furthermore, there was an inverse relationship between bloodpool tracer availability and visceral tracer binding and a positive correlation between bloodpool tracer availability and primary tumor tracer uptake. With an interval of up to 5 days, there was a significantly higher bloodpool activity than at longer intervals. Conclusion: Absolute comparison of the SUV on [68Ga]Ga-DOTA-TOC PET should be done with caution as the altered biodistribution of the tracer after SSA treatment should be taken into account. We recommend not to perform a scan within the first 5 days after the injection of lanreotide. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study aimed to explore the affective relationship of older adults with their pets during the COVID-19 pandemic; and to assess how this contributed to their mental health. This qualitative study included 351 participants aged 65–88 years from Portugal, the United Kingdom, and Spain. All interviews went through content analysis. Findings indicated five themes: (1) Enabling a meaningful affective relationship (86%); (2) Strengthening affective sharing with partner (68%); (3) Easing new affective relationships (61%); (4) Enhancing sensory stimuli and physical touch (55%); and; (5) Feeling physical pleasure (23%). Three main themes emerged from the content analysis regarding the second objective: (1) Fewer depressive and anxiety symptoms (73%); (2) Fewer feelings of loneliness (68%); and (3) Fewer mood swings (43%). The affective relationship between older adults and their pets was relevant during the COVID-19 pandemic since it solidified affective relationships with their partners and fostered the creation of new relationships. Additionally, it contributed to a deeper affective relationship with themselves, in terms of sensory stimuli, physical touch, and physical pleasure. Owning a pet improved mental health symptoms, namely those associated with depression, anxiety, and mood swings. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The landscape regarding the public's use and mental health professionals' recommendation of emotional support animals has recently undergone significant changes. This study analyzes current practices for emotional support animal (ESA) recommendations among mental health professionals and aims to explore best practices for compliance with ethical and legal standards when using emotional support animals in treatment. The researchers surveyed 106 mental health professionals using a Likert-style questionnaire to determine their beliefs, practices, and attitudes regarding ESAs. Participants included LPCs/LMHCs, LMFTs, social workers, psychologists, and student interns. Results showed that most participants believed in the healing power of human-animal interactions and were well versed in legal requirements regarding ESAs. Results also indicated that many mental health professionals recommend ESAs without appropriate continuing education or coursework. Results also showed discrepancies between practitioners' purported knowledge about ESAs and actual procedures regarding ESA recommendations. These findings yield important information for clinicians, counselor educators, and clinical supervisors who are likely to face inquiries about ESAs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Dental anxiety poses challenges for providing effective oral healthcare. While therapy dogs have shown promise in various medical and mental health contexts, their use for alleviating dental anxiety in adults remains underexplored. This study aimed to investigate the emotional and physiologic effects of therapy dogs on self-reported dental anxiety. Adults with dental anxiety were randomly assigned to an intervention group (DOG: n = 19) or a standard care group (SC; n = 14). Standard self-report measures were used to assess dental anxiety (Index of Dental Anxiety and Fear [IDAF-46+]), depression (Patient Health Questionnaire 9), and generalized anxiety (Generalized Anxiety Disorder 7) prior to the intervention. Participants in the DOG group received a 10-minute therapy dog intervention before dental procedures in sessions 1 and 2, while participants in the SC group rested quietly for 10 minutes before their procedure. The SC participants received the 10-minute therapy dog intervention before dental procedures in the third and final session, while patients in the DOG group received no intervention prior to their third procedure. After the dental procedures, patients completed a questionnaire about their satisfaction with the dog therapy (Therapy Satisfaction Scale) and recorded their anxiety and comfort levels on visual analog scales. Continuous electrocardiographic recording measured heart rate variability during the intervention and dental procedure. Prior to the intervention, most participants (90.9%) met the IDAF-46+ criteria for dental anxiety, with 7 (21.2%) meeting the criteria for dental phobia. The DOG group participants expressed high satisfaction with the therapy dog intervention. No significant differences in heart rate variability were observed between the groups during dental procedures. Therapy dogs can effectively manage dental anxiety in adults with mild to moderate dental anxiety, offering potential benefits for oral healthcare. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background. The World Health Organization recognizes that participation is important to individuals’ well being; yet, autistic children participate in fewer activities compared to neurotypical children. This article aims to describe the role of autism assistance dogs (AADs) in promoting participation and engagement in occupations and activities of daily living (ADLs) for autistic children. Method. A qualitative interpretative phenomenological design was used. Two semi-structured interviews from a narrative perspective were conducted with each participant. Four volunteer parents and primary handlers of their child’s AAD participated in the study. Inductive analysis was used to interpret openended questions. Following transcription, Creswell’s thematic analysis was used to develop codes and theoretical perspectives to better understand the lived experience of AAD users. Results. The single overarching theme identified in this study was: The Multi-Factored Role of Autism Assistance Dogs. Conclusion. AADs are a valuable, alternative form of adaptive equipment for autistic children that can serve a broad purpose in increasing participation in daily life. This area of practice is an appropriate location for occupational therapists to concentrate interventions when working with families with autistic children. This is a novel research topic that is important and deserves further study. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Animal-assisted intervention (AAI) involving live visits with canines shows strong promise to improve quality of life (QOL) in hospitalized youth with cancer or blood disorders. The emerging field of virtual AAI allows access to AAI regardless of setting and extends to children at home. Youth and Pet Survivors™ (YAPS) is a novel form of virtual AAI with dog and cat pen pals who share a diagnosis of cancer or serious illness. Little is known about how exchanging letters with animals with a shared diagnosis influences perceived QOL, and how the human–animal bond (HAB) is expressed in letter narratives. Method: A thematic narrative analysis approach was used to analyze a secondary dataset consisting of letters and interviews from children in YAPS. The research team designed a conceptual framework to guide the analysis, integrating concepts of perceived QOL, the HAB, and emotional social support. Results: Collectively, the letter and interview texts illustrated cocreated stories of the HAB. Themes included the virtual HAB as a mirror, constructing identity in the context of the HAB, expressions of the mutuality of the HAB, happiness with having a pen pal, illness story, and connection to normalcy. Answers to research questions operationalize the influence of virtual AAI. Discussion: Having an animal pen pal improved perceived QOL and was a potent source of emotional social support across the illness trajectory, supporting YAPS as a nurse-led intervention for facilitating adjustment to illness. This study adds a conceptual framework and scientific evidence to the emerging field of virtual AAI. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Any illness places a significant burden on patients, including deterioration in quality of life. Animal assisted therapy may be helpful in the rehabilitation process and in the treatment of patients to alleviate this phenomenon. Methods: A randomized, controlled research was conducted in 2019 and 2020 in a rehabilitation center in Budapest. In our study, the control and experimental groups received the same therapy, but the rehabilitation treatment of the intervention group was complemented by dog therapy. Patients were evaluated by means of the short form Beck Depression Inventory, State-Trait Anxiety Inventory, Illness Intrusiveness Ratings Scale, Visual Analog Scale for pain and the WHO-5 Well-being Index. For statistical analysis paired T-test and ANCOVA was performed. Results: 58 participants in both groups took part in the research. Results confirm that both groups showed statistically significant improvement in all outcome measures, except for depression symptoms in dog therapy group. Quality of life of the participants improved significantly, their pain and anxiety levels were significantly reduced, they felt significantly less burdened by the disease in their daily lives. Therapeutic-dog sessions had a large effect on patients' quality of life and anxiety. Conclusions: There is a strong case for animal assisted therapy as a complementary therapy in the rehabilitation program, and it is proposed that consideration should be given to the application of this method on a larger scale within health care. The study was retrospectively registered at ISRCTN Registry (registration number: ISRCTN10208787) on 15/03/2022. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aim: To synthesize research investigating suicide, suicide attempts, self‐harm and suicide ideation in nursing and midwifery students, a group of interest due to high rates of suicide among qualified nurses. Specific areas of interest for this review included prevalence, factors which may contribute to or mitigate risk and suicide prevention interventions. Design: A systematic review was conducted, and Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta‐Analysis (PRISMA) guidelines were followed. Data Sources: Three electronic databases were searched, and additional articles identified using hand‐searching. Studies were included if they examined suicide, suicide attempts, self‐harm or suicide ideation in nursing or midwifery students. Review Methods: Studies were deduplicated and assessed for inclusion. Data from included studies were extracted, quality of studies assessed and data synthesized, informed by study focus, design and assessed quality. Results: About 46 studies of largely moderate to low quality were identified. A high‐quality study demonstrated increased risk of suicide in Swedish female nursing students, and increased risk of self‐harm in nursing students of both sexes. Prevalence of suicide ideation did not appear to differ across course year, or between nursing students and students on other programmes. Psychiatric conditions, particularly depression, were associated with suicide ideation. Three studies related to suicide prevention interventions were identified. Integration of wellness initiatives into the curriculum and peer support were preferred interventions among nursing students and teaching staff. Conclusions: To understand the extent of suicide and self‐harm among nursing and midwifery students there is a need for further epidemiological research stratified by programme of study. To develop prevention interventions and initiatives for nursing students, high‐quality longitudinal studies should examine characteristics associated with suicide and self‐harm. Impact: Current findings suggest interventions could include support for students experiencing mental health difficulties, foster peer support, and help develop wellness. No patient or public contribution. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Group programmes are a common component of treatment in inpatient child and adolescent mental health service (CAMHS) units. There is evidence for specific group interventions, however, comparison across a multidisciplinary group programme is under-explored. This research examines young people's experiences of, and satisfaction with, a multidisciplinary group programme on an acute inpatient CAMHS unit. Weekly surveys were distributed to young people, and 37 responses were gathered across four months in 2018. Rates of attendance, enjoyment and perceived helpfulness of groups were calculated. Content analysis was used to explore key themes in qualitative responses. Young people rated a creative activities and games group (54.05%) and the art therapy group (48.95%) as the two most enjoyable groups. Art therapy was reported to be the most helpful group overall (45.65%). Young people also expressed their dislike for verbal psychotherapy groups (43.24%), finding these confronting relative to other modalities in the programme. Art therapy and arts-based groups received the highest positive feedback relative to predominantly verbal psychotherapy groups. A multidisciplinary group programme which integrates art therapy and other creative modalities has the potential to enhance engagement in acute inpatient settings which may result in improved mental health outcomes for young people. Future research should aim to foreground young people's perspectives and experiences of therapeutic programmes, and provide opportunities for clinicians to redevelop programmes responsively to service user feedback. Survey findings support advocacy for consistent art therapy roles and services within inpatient CAMHS units. A survey to gather feedback on the multidisciplinary group programme was developed and implemented on an acute inpatient child and adolescent mental health services (CAMHS) unit in Sydney, Australia. A total of 37 responses were gathered. Survey findings indicated that the use of creative elements in groups supported more consistent engagement when compared to verbal psychotherapy groups. While creative diversional groups were deemed enjoyable, the art therapy group was rated not only as being highly enjoyable, but was also rated the most helpful group by a clear margin. Young people consistently gave negative feedback regarding groups which were primarily verbal, expressing they found them 'scary' or 'confronting'. The outcome of this survey speaks to the value of creative approaches to group therapy in acute inpatient CAMHS units. Services and clinicians often struggle to engage young people in verbal psychotherapies prior to a hospital admission. Given this, the provision of diverse and creative groups, including art therapy, within a multidisciplinary programme is likely to enhance engagement and outcomes for young people. We anticipate that these findings will be of value to all acute inpatient CAMHS units when designing and delivering group programmes. The survey allowed for young people's perspectives to be heard, and for the multidisciplinary team to respond to the preferences and ideas offered by young people on the unit. This has resulted in a more robust programme both clinically and creatively, inviting co-construction with service users. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

There is evidence that animal-assisted interventions are helpful for anxiety and depression and that yoga helps with trauma symptoms. "Goat Yoga" has been popularized but has not been studied for its influence on mental wellbeing. This interpretative phenomenological analysis of experiences of "Goat Yoga" focused on its influence on participants' joy and shift in perspective. Four core themes were: Fun, Inducing Calm, Shifting Focus, and Removing Barriers. The findings suggest that "Goat Yoga" is beneficial as complementary therapy for depression and anxiety, especially for treatment-resistant conditions, but further research is needed to determine relevance across various populations. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Animal-assisted therapy has gained increased attention in occupational therapy. Yet there remains minimal education opportunities available. In addition to supporting student learning, student-led clinics have the potential to provide a valuable, cost-effective health service to the community. This study aimed to explore the potential benefits to the children clients participating in a student-led, canine-assisted occupational therapy pediatric clinic from the perspectives of the students and parents. Semi-structured interviews were conducted with nine occupational therapy students, and five parents to describe their experience. Transcripts were analyzed using inductive thematic analysis. Participants emphasized how the presence of the therapy dog supported child engagement within the therapy session. Ways in which participants believed the therapy dog influenced the children's engagement were described within three themes. The first highlighted the importance of the relationship between the children and the therapy dog. The second described how this relationship facilitated a sense of safety within the sessions. The third captured how this sense of safety supported the children's participation within their meaningful occupations. Parents and students involved in the canine-assisted occupational therapy clinic perceived that canine-assisted therapy was supportive of child engagement in therapy. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Assistance and companion dogs have numerous positive effects for family of autistic children, such as supporting their rehabilitation and improving their quality of life. To date, very few studies have compared the effects of both types of dogs. This comparison, considering the limited access to assistance dogs, could be helpful for families wanting to adopt a dog. An explanatory sequential design with a mixed-method approach was used. First, 85 parents (nassistance dogs = 57; ncompanion dogs = 28) of children aged between 3 and 17 years old (M = 10.73, SD = 3.67) completed an online questionnaire including sociodemographic questions and the Treatment Acceptability Rating Form-Revised (TARF-R). Then, 17 of these participants (nassistance dogs = 14; ncompanion dogs = 3) completed a semi-structured interview. The quantitative data analyses showed that parents with assistance dogs were significantly more satisfied: t (83) = −2.12, p =.037, d = 0.49. Significant associations between some sociodemographic variables (e.g., number of children, comorbid condition, reasons for acquiring a dog) and acceptability/satisfaction (TARF-R total scores) were found. The qualitative analysis revealed that families with both dog types observed positive effects. In brief, having an assistance dog constitutes a significant added value; nevertheless, both types of dogs are appreciated. Parents of children on the autism spectrum show significantly higher levels of satisfaction with having an assistance dog to assist the rehabilitation of their child on the autism spectrum when compared to a companion dog. Assistance and companion dogs are both perceived as beneficial by parents and as an important source of support for the rehabilitation of children on the autism spectrum and other members of their family. Companion dogs trained specifically to assist the rehabilitation of children on the autism spectrum should be offered to families in the context of limited access to assistance dogs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Fibroblast activation protein inhibitor (FAPI) targeting PET has been introduced as a novel molecular imaging modality for visualizing cancer-associated fibroblasts. There have also been reports suggesting incidental findings of localized accumulation in the shoulder joints. However, further characterization in a larger patient cohort is still lacking. Methods: 77 consecutive patients (28 females; mean age, 63.1 ± 11.6) who underwent Ga-68 FAPI-04 PET/CT for diagnosis of solid tumors were included. The incidence and localization of tracer uptake in shoulder joints were investigated and compared with available F-18 FDG scans serving as reference. Results: Ga-68 FAPI-04 uptake was evaluated in 77 patients (154 shoulder joints), of whom 54 subjects (108 shoulder joints) also had available F-18 FDG scans for head-to-head comparison. On FAPI-targeted imaging, 67/154 shoulders (43.5%) demonstrated increased radiotracer accumulation in target lesions, which were distributed as follows: acromioclavicular (AC) joints in 25/67 (37.3%), followed by glenohumeral and subacromial (GH + SA) joints in 23/67 (34.3%), or both (AC and GH + SA joints) in the remaining 19/67 (28.4%). Ga-68 FAPI-04 correlated with quantified F-18 FDG uptake (r = 0.69, p < 0.0001). Relative to the latter radiotracer, however, in-vivo FAP expression in the shoulders was significantly increased (Ga-68 FAPI-04, 4.7 ± 3.2 vs F-18 FDG, 3.6 ± 1.3, p < 0.001). Conclusion: Our study revealed focal accumulation of Ga-68 FAPI-04 in the shoulders, particularly in the AC joints, with higher uptake compared to the inflammatory-directed PET radiotracer F-18 FDG in oncological studies. As a result, further trials are warranted to investigate the potential of FAPI-directed molecular imaging in identifying chronic remodeling in shoulder joints. This could have implications for initiating anti-FAP targeted photodynamic therapy based on PET signal strength. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The incorporation of therapy animals into psychological services is promising as an effective form of treatment option for college students, yet limited information exists around the integration of therapy animals within groupwork. The purpose of this Hermeneutic phenomenological study was to gain an understanding of animal assisted group therapy (AAGT) on college campuses from the perspective of college mental health counselors. AAGT was explored as it relates to the lived experiences of three college-based mental health practitioners. Findings are categorized into three primary themes: adapting ethically, augmenting group treatment, and enhancing relationships. An increased sense of connection, portrayed through student attendance, decreased attrition, strong inter- and intrapersonal relationship development from student and counselors, were essential features described by college counselors as the essence of AAGT. Implications for college counselors are included. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The use of therapy or service dogs to assist children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is increasing in clinical settings. Research studies indicate that children with ASD display enhanced prosocial behavior and emotional regulation when canines are included in therapy. Despite increased application of animal-assisted therapy in clinical and inpatient settings, healthcare providers show limited understanding of best practices for its use and require a research-based approach to incorporate animals effectively into therapeutic plans of care for pediatric patients with ASD. The use of therapy dogs to assist children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is increasing in clinical settings. Research studies indicate that children with ASD display enhanced prosocial behavior and emotional regulation when canines are included in therapy. Despite increased application of animal-assisted therapy in clinical settings, providers show limited understanding of best practices for its use and require a research-based approach to incorporate animals effectively into therapeutic plans of care for pediatric patients with ASD. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Simple Summary: The donkey, along with the dog and the horse, is one of the species most involved in Animal-Assisted Interventions (AAIs). The stoic nature of this species, combined with the working requirements of Animal-Assisted Interventions, mean that the welfare of donkeys involved in such activities needs to be monitored and protected. This article reports information about the management of donkeys housed in six different facilities with varying degrees of experience in Donkey-Assisted Interventions in Northern Italy and emphasizes the preventive value of proper animal management in safeguarding donkey's welfare. People working in the field of Animal-Assisted Interventions (AAIs) often state that they perceive animal welfare as a matter of paramount importance; nevertheless, most scientific literature focuses on the effectiveness of interventions from the user's perspective. Before focusing on the animals' management and welfare during their interactions with users, it is important to ensure animal welfare during their "ordinary lives". This article reports information and considerations about the management of donkeys involved in AAIs in Northern Italy. Six facilities with several years of experience in Donkey-Assisted Interventions were visited for the purpose of an initial data collection regarding the management of donkeys involved in AAIs. Some knowledge gaps regarding the nutritional needs of the donkey and its preventive medicine have been identified; this study also highlighted a need for efforts to create a more stimulating and enriched environment for animals involved in AAIs. Some possible areas for improvement in the management of donkeys involved in AAIs have been highlighted. Further studies are necessary to provide a more comprehensive picture of the welfare of donkeys involved in this context. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Green Care therapies are defined as the engagement of a patient with the nature, exposing patients to a nature based therapeutic setting that may facilitate their recovery. Such therapies became popular at the end of the twentieth century. This therapeutic approach may include therapeutic horticulture, nature therapies, care farming, facilitated exercise, and animal-assisted therapies with farm animals (AATF). This paper describes the processes of planning and creating an AATF-based clinical intervention wherein persons with TBI interacted with ducks (in twice weekly, 1-hour groups) for 12 wk at a TBI rehabilitation facility. The discussion includes site identification, stakeholder engagement, intervention design and human and animal safety procedures. The research methods, theoretical framework, ethical consideration, and risk reduction strategies for human participants and ducks are discussed. Also, description of challenges and blueprints of possible solutions for other researchers interested in developing similar initiatives. This program will serve as a study site for examining effects of AATF-based interventions on self-efficacy, depression, and anxiety in persons with TBI. If the study suggests that AATF interventions with ducks may lead to positive changes, the proposed study will be followed with studies that include larger samples at multiple sites. Findings in this paper may contribute to the implementation science body of knowledge. Because of that, the information in this paper may benefit the researchers outside of the healthcare arena. From that perspective methods described in this paper may help to develop studies that focus on policy development, program expansion, or individual project implementation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Patients with hematological malignancy experience physical and psychological pain, such as a sense of isolation and confinement due to intensive chemotherapy in a protective isolation unit (PIU). We examined whether the intervention of a robotic puppy, aibo (manufactured by Sony), could improve patients' mental health as an alternative therapy for pet therapy, which is not feasible in PIU. This study included 21 patients undergoing allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HSCT) (n = 16) or autologous HSCT (n = 5). The patients were randomly divided into the aibo and control groups. Psychological effects were regularly assessed by measuring the levels of salivary stress hormone chromogranin A (CgA), serum oxytocin, and serum cortisol and the quick Inventory of Depressive Symptomatology Self-Report (QIDS-SR) scores. The aibo group demonstrated a significant decrease in CgA level, while the control group showed the opposite trend. In addition, changes in serum oxytocin and cortisol levels indicated that aibo helped reduce stress. There was no significant difference in the QIDS-SR scores between the two groups; however, the psychomotor activity in the aibo group improved significantly. These findings suggest that aibo intervention during a stay in a PIU can improve the mental health of patients with hematological malignancies who have undergone HSCT. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study assesses the feasibility of using a sample-efficient model to investigate radiomics changes over time for predicting progression-free survival in rare diseases. Eighteen high-grade glioma patients underwent two L-3,4-dihydroxy-6-[18F]-fluoro-phenylalanine positron emission tomography (PET) dynamic scans: the first during treatment and the second at temozolomide chemotherapy discontinuation. Radiomics features from static/dynamic parametric images, alongside conventional features, were extracted. After excluding highly correlated features, 16 different models were trained by combining various feature selection methods and time-to-event survival algorithms. Performance was assessed using cross-validation. To evaluate model robustness, an additional dataset including 35 patients with a single PET scan at therapy discontinuation was used. Model performance was compared with a strategy extracting informative features from the set of 35 patients and applying them to the 18 patients with 2 PET scans. Delta-absolute radiomics achieved the highest performance when the pipeline was directly applied to the 18-patient subset (support vector machine (SVM) and recursive feature elimination (RFE): C-index = 0.783 [0.744–0.818]). This result remained consistent when transferring informative features from 35 patients (SVM + RFE: C-index = 0.751 [0.716–0.784], p = 0.06). In addition, it significantly outperformed delta-absolute conventional (C-index = 0.584 [0.548–0.620], p < 0.001) and single-time-point radiomics features (C-index = 0.546 [0.512–0.580], p < 0.001), highlighting the considerable potential of delta radiomics in rare cancer cohorts. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is characterized by interaction and communication differences, entailing visual attention skill specificities. Interactions with animals, such as in animal-assisted interventions or with service dogs, have been shown to be beneficial for individuals with ASD. While interacting with humans poses challenges for them, engaging with animals appears to be different. One hypothesis suggests that differences between individuals with ASD's visual attention to humans and to animals may contribute to these interaction differences. We propose a scoping review of the research on the visual attention to animals of youths with ASD. The objective is to review the methodologies and tools used to explore such questions, to summarize the main results, to explore which factors may contribute to the differences reported in the studies, and to deduce how youth with ASD observe animals. Utilizing strict inclusion criteria, we examined databases between 1942 and 2023, identifying 21 studies in international peer-reviewed journals. Three main themes were identified: attentional engagement and detection, visual exploration, and behavior. Collectively, our findings suggest that the visual attention of youths with ASD towards animals appears comparable to that of neurotypical peers, at least in 2D pictures (i.e., eye gaze patterns). Future studies should explore whether these results extend to real-life interactions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) is a neurodevelopmental disorder characterized by impaired social interaction and communication. Autistic children suffer from social cognitive difficulties. There is no specific treatment for ASD, but ongoing individualized care can lead to an improvement in symptoms. Adopting a pet into a family with an autistic child is increasingly recognized as beneficial for improving some of the child's social skills. Cats are the second most common pet in the homes of autistic children. Previous studies showed that adopting calm-tempered shelter cats to autistic children decreased anxiety and improved the child's social skills. In the present study, we aimed to qualitatively explore the experience of parents of autistic children who adopted a shelter cat. 11 families participated in the study, and were asked 6 open-ended questions every 2 weeks for 18 weeks after the cat's adoption. Five main themes emerged from the analysis: benefits of cat adoption, challenges of cat adoption, parent-cat bonding, child-cat bonding, and family impact of cat adoption. Adoption leads to the creation of a strong relationship between the family members and the shelter cat, and an improvement in the child's social skills, with some difficulties related to the maintenance of the cat. These findings highlight the beneficial impact of adopting a shelter cat into a family with an autistic child, and open the door for future research to generalize these results. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: To investigate the impact of animal-assisted activity (AAA) involving a dog (play therapy) on reducing the pain experienced by children during the administration of local anesthetic (LA). Methods: Children between the ages of eight and 12 years who required LA administration were randomized into an AAA group and a control group. Baseline data for the simplified Modified Child Dental Anxiety Scale--Faces version (MCDAS[f ]) was recorded, followed by the implementation of either AAA with standard care or standard care alone. The conventional protocol was followed for the administration of LA. Procedural pain was evaluated using both the Faces Pain Scale-Revised (FPS-R) and the Faces, Legs, Activity, Cry, and Consolability Scale (FLACC). All variations in pulse were also recorded. After the procedure, a simplified MCDAS(f ) was recorded once again. The data were tabulated and statistically analyzed. Results: The children in the AAA group reported lower pain scores, as measured by FPS-R, compared to the control group (P=0.009). Pain, as observed in the FLACC scores, was also low in the experimental group (P<0.001). A notable reduction in anxiety scores (P<0.001) was observed among children assigned to the AAA group. Conclusion: AAA involving a dog led to a reduction in the pain experienced by children undergoing LA administration, subsequently decreasing anxiety. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: The Dog Assisted Activities (DAA) programmes in schools are operating for more than three decades in various countries around the word. However, their operation and relevant research and study, is very limited currently in Greece. Aim: The initial inspiration and ultimate goal for conducting this present study was to raise awareness and promote understanding around the implementation of DAA programmes in Greece; especially in primary education. The researchers tested the hypothesis that the students' physical interaction with a trained dog may have a positive impact on their self-esteem. Methodology: The 44 students who took part in the study participated on a voluntary basis, and were randomly allocated into two groups: the experimental (n=19), and the control group (n=25). The experimental group interacted with a trained dog while the control group attended presentations on dog training. The researchers used a standardised questionnaire to measure and then compare the students' self-esteem scores within and between the two groups. There were two times of measurement; before (Time 0) and after (Time 1) the implementation of the DAA programme. Results: The analysis of the results revealed a statistically significant difference in the self-esteem of the experimental group students(p=.002). Additionally, the self-esteem scores displayed by the experimental group students after the intervention were higher to these displayed in the control group (p=.012). Conclusions: The present study' s findings suggest that the DDA programmes may positively impact and enhance the self-esteem of school students. However, as that was the first time a study of this type was conducted in Greece, further research is needed so to better examine and investigate the effects of the DDA programmes on elementary students' well-being. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Many systematic reviews identify support animals or animal assisted activity as a beneficial and standard practice in several medical disciplines for patients (children, adolescents, and adults) and residents in care homes. A variety of animals are used such as dogs, cats, ponies, horses, alpacas, reindeer, penguins, rabbits, and tarantulas. Our objective was to explore the evidence regarding effects of animal assisted activity on a further population of interest; namely, healthcare staff. Methods: We asked the question "how do support animals in healthcare settings affect the well-being of healthcare staff?" As an addendum, we were also interested in what - possibly more unique - animals have visited healthcare settings at Christmas time in particular. We conducted a scoping literature review using PubMed and Web of Science (search as of 26 April 2023). Results: Twenty studies (in the USA, Australia, Europe; dogs: n = 19; cats: n = 1) since 2002 included: studies with biological measures (n = 3), longitudinal survey studies with analyses (n = 5), cross-sectional survey studies with analyses (n = 2), and cross-sectional survey studies with descriptive statistics (n = 10). Overall, animal assisted activities appear to be well-received by staff and there do not seem to be negative impacts on staff well-being. Conclusions: Relevant positive effects and avenues of research are identified. Our review suggests that, but not exactly how, animal assisted activity benefits staff. Study evidence is limited with most studies being cross-sectional, descriptive, having low participant numbers, and mostly only involving dogs. Nonetheless, the evidence is mostly positive. The potential of animal assisted activities impacting positively on staff well-being warrants systematic research. Gaps in hard-fact-evidence should not deter us – especially at the festive season – to encourage work with, and systematic research regarding, support animals that provide warmth, empathy, comfort, and more in healthcare settings. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This is the protocol for an evidence and gap map. The objectives are as follows: To map available randomized control trials, economic evaluations, and systematic reviews that assess the effectiveness and cost‐effectiveness of non‐pharmacological interventions for older people with a diagnosis of depression and identify any existing gaps in the evidence that can inform future research. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: The prevalence of anxiety and stress among university students has been well established. However, limited studies document the effects of animal-assisted interventions (AAI) on college campuses. Method: An AAI program was created and implemented during the 2021–2022 academic year to study the effects on students' stress and anxiety. Five faculty dog and handler teams, called the "Wildpups," participated in events that allowed individuals to interact with registered therapy dogs. Nursing students assessed vital signs including heart rate, respiratory rate, and blood pressure before and after events. The State-Trait Anxiety Inventory survey was used to assess pre- and postperceived anxiety, and a visual analog scale was used to assess pre- and postperceived stress. Results: Participants' blood pressure, heart and respiratory rates, and perceived stress and anxiety decreased significantly after events. Conclusion: Embedded AAI programs on college campuses positively affect the life and mental well-being of individuals. [J Nurs Educ. 2023;62(11):631–637.] [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: Whilst a growing body of support exists for the use of prison animal programmes (PAPs), research within UK prisons is sparse. Opportunity to add to this body of literature is also limited due to the practical barriers around safely embedding animals within forensic settings. This study aims to capitalise on an opportunity to explore a visitation model of a prison-based dog programme (PBDP), recently implemented within a UK prison. The intervention requires staff members to volunteer to bring their pets into the prison on a weekly basis and to accompany them as they complete their normal day-to-day prison roles. Design/methodology/approach: Data was collected within a Category B adult prison for males convicted of a sexual offence. Semi-structured interviews were carried out with six prisoners who had spent time with the visitation dogs and six staff members who had been part of those interactions. Reflexive thematic analysis was used to analyse the data, and three themes were developed that focused specifically on the value of this model of PBDP (staff members bringing their pets into the prison). Findings: Three themes (reconnecting men to their outside lives; legitimising pro-social narrative; and "a safe space for them to open up") were developed from participants' lived experience of the intervention and its perceived value. Practical implications: The potential for a low-level PAP to contribute to a rehabilitative prison culture was supported. Originality/value: To the best of the author's knowledge, this is the first study to explore the value of this particular model of PBDP within a UK prison. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: This study aims to assess the nature and scope of dog-based programmes in prisons, assessing critically the potential opportunities, benefits, challenges and risks of developing innovative dog-based programmes for older prisoners in England and Wales. This paper outlines the potential benefits and challenges of developing dog-based programmes for older prisoners and sets out next steps for future research and practice. Design/methodology/approach: This study is based on a scoping review of published research literature on prison dog programmes (PDPs) in the USA, the UK and other countries, with particular reference to older people in prison, followed by semi-structured interviews with six members of an expert advisory group. The literature review and data from the qualitative interviews were analysed thematically. Findings: There is a substantial body of published research literature which supports PDPs as having identifiable positive impacts for people and also dogs, and also published research which highlights the benefits to older people of dog ownership or participation in dog-based activities. However, much of this research is small-scale and qualitative, and it has been argued that there is a lack of a quantitative evidence base. This research concludes that findings from the literature review and the semi-structured interviews support further research and the creation of pilot projects to develop dog-based projects for older people in prison. Research limitations/implications: This study was small-scale, and the findings need to be approached with caution. The literature review searched a small number of databases and filtered out articles published in languages other than English, and the review of the grey literature focused on reports from the UK. The number of experts interviewed was small and there was no direct consultation with older people in prison nor with older people with recent personal lived experience of imprisonment and community resettlement. A more extensive future study would benefit from a more extensive literature review, a larger group of participants and the inclusion of service users, prison managers and government policymakers, subject to the appropriate ethical and security approvals. At the time the research took place, ongoing COVID-19 restrictions on prison research meant that research with current prisoners and prison managers would not have been approved by the HMPPS NRC. Practical implications: This research provides a research-based justification for future dog projects for older prisoners, leading potentially to improved well-being for older people in prison. Originality/value: This study brings together the published research literature on PDPs with the research literature on the needs and experiences of older people in prison for the first time, and identifies potential directions for future research. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Dental anxiety and fear are the major treatment challenges faced by pediatric dentists. Oral hygiene in children with Down’s syndrome is highly compromised in comparison to their healthy counterparts. Animal‑assisted therapy, through dogs, has been beneficial in alleviating dental fear and anxiety in healthy pediatric population. Aim: The aim of the study was to assess the impact of dog‑assisted therapy (DAT) on children with Down’s syndrome undergoing dental examination and fluoride varnish application in dental operatory. Materials and Methods: Twenty children with Down’s syndrome between 5 and 12years of age were selected. Group A (intervention group): DAT was carried out in the dental operatory. Group B (control group): Dental treatment was performed in the absence of a therapy dog in the dental operatory. Anxiety levels were evaluated by recording the pulse rate and revised modified faces version of the Modified Child Dental Anxiety Scale (MCDAS[f]). Statistical Analysis: The intergroup comparison of pulse rate was done using an unpaired t‑test, whereas the variation in intragroup pulse rate was analyzed using the Analysis of Variance test. The anxiety scores were subjected to a paired t‑test for intragroup comparison with P < 0.05 considered to be statistically significant. Results: Reduction in dental anxiety was observed in the intervention group (P < 0.001). Conclusion: DAT can be used as an effective behavior management technique for children with Down’s syndrome undergoing dental examination and simple dental procedures in the dental operatory. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Burnout and resiliency are significant challenges among health care workers. Animal-assisted therapy (AAT) has shown to improve patient-level outcomes; however, AAT research involving hospital staff is limited. Our novel Medical Dog ("MD") Office Hours Program aimed to provide support to pediatric hospital staff and explore the program's impact on burnout. Participant surveys described work role and years of experience, well-being, and emotional/physical descriptions and symptoms. Of 149 participants, 85% endorsed baseline distress/burnout; nearly half had at-risk Well-Being Index scores. Compared with baseline, postintervention participants endorsed significantly fewer negative (more positive) emotions; greater feelings of comfort and energy; and decreased tiredness and pain (P <.0001). Readiness to return to work scores were high (M = 78.1, SD = 18.4). Our Medical Dog ("MD") Office Hours Program resulted in improvements in emotional descriptions and physical symptoms among pediatric health care staff. Leveraging AAT among health care staff may help mitigate burnout and increase resiliency. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Animal assisted intervention (AAI) programming is becoming popular among college campuses; however, minimal literature describes the impact of AAI programming on the graduate student population. This study aims to (1) better understand the lived experience with pets and AAI programming and (2) develop a list of factors critical to graduate students interested in engaging in AAI programming. Narrative and interpretive phenomenological approaches explored the lived experience of graduate students through focus groups. Findings revealed students having both positive experiences and challenges with pets and past AAI programming. Important factors related to AAI programming included logistics, scheduling, diversification of therapy dogs, and receiving information on acceptable activities for participants to engage in with therapy dogs. Participants discussed experiencing stress and anxiety throughout the semester, and perceived convenient regular access to therapy dog programming as a valuable way to improve mental health and decrease stress and anxiety. Translation to Health Education Practice: Professionals interested in conducting AAI programming with college graduate student populations can benefit from this research by using graduate student preferences to inform the design of AAI programming on college campuses.A AJHE Self-Study quiz is online for this article via the SHAPE America Online Institute (SAOI) [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]