The Child Life Specialists' Perception of Animal Assisted Therapy Within a Pediatric Oncology Population

Abstract

When a child receives the life altering diagnosis of cancer, it is often the beginning of a whirlwind of endless hospitalizations, procedures, checkups, and a multitude of side effects related to the disease. All of these events, especially hospitalization, can be traumatic and stressful for a child. Animal assisted therapy (AAT) utilizes the human-animal bond in goal directed interventions to improve physical and psychological well-being in humans. Child life specialists are nonmedical personnel that provide education and therapeutic interventions, including AAT, that address the psychosocial needs of children and families during times of stress. The purpose of the current study was to understand child life specialists' perception of animal assisted therapy in a pediatric oncology setting. An online survey was distributed to child life specialists at 23 children's hospitals offering AAT. Twelve certified child life specialists (CCLS) responded to the survey and provided data about their perceptions about the value of AAT for pediatric oncology patients and their perceptions of the benefits of AAT on physiological and psychological responses during preparation for medical procedures and during procedures. Participants from twelve difference hospitals responded, with eleven reporting they perceive AAT to be very beneficial to pediatric oncology patients. All participants (N=12) reported AAT to be very beneficial for the physiological responses of pain, movement, and stress and also perceived AAT to be very beneficial for the psychological responses of mood/happiness and interaction/communication in a pediatric oncology setting. A thematic analysis of the participant's narrative responses revealed the following four themes related to their AAT program: 1) desire for expansion, 2) restrictions/limitations, 3) challenges, and 4) overall satisfaction. Implications for implementing AAT in the pediatric oncology setting, recognizing the benefits of AAT with the pediatric oncology population, and strengthening the research of AAT with the pediatric oncology population are discussed.