The feasibility and acceptability of integrating dogs into inpatient rehabilitation therapy with children with acquired brain injury

Abstract

IntroductionChildren with acquired brain injury (ABI) are at risk for poor therapeutic engagement due to cognitive impairment, affect lability, pain, and fatigue. Animal‐assisted therapy (AAT) has the potential to improve patient engagement in rehabilitation therapies; however, the feasibility of integrating AAT into the rigorous therapy schedule of inpatient clinical care or its reception by patients, families, and staff is unknown.ObjectiveTo examine the feasibility and acceptability of incorporating dogs into physical therapy and occupational therapy sessions with pediatric patients being treated on an inpatient rehabilitation unit for acquired brain injury.DesignA feasibility study of AAT within the context of a within‐subjects crossover study.SettingPediatric inpatient rehabilitation unit.ParticipantsSixteen patients, aged 7–28 years (mean = 13.6 years, standard deviation [SD] = 5.2 years; 50% male), being treated on the inpatient rehabilitation unit following ABI.InterventionAAT – the integration of dogs into inpatient physical therapy and occupational therapy sessions.Main Outcome MeasuresFeasibility measures: enrollment rate, the proportion of AAT sessions a dog attended, adverse events, instances where therapist or handler ended session early, patient animal closeness, and utilization of dog in session. Satisfaction measures: parent satisfaction questionnaires and therapist feedback.ResultsFeasibility was supported by high enrollment rate (88.9%) and dog attendance rate of 93%–95%; 84.3% of sessions used the dog in multiple ways and patients reported a high level of closeness with the dog in session, indicating that the dogs were integrated in meaningful ways. No adverse events were noted, therapists reported that intervention was convenient, and clinical care was not negatively impacted. A high level of satisfaction was reported by families and therapists.ConclusionsFindings suggest that AAT is feasible and acceptable, and it may be a valuable tool for therapists working with patients with ABI on an inpatient rehabilitation unit.