Animal-Assisted Therapy in Pediatric Palliative Care

Mary Jo Gilmer; Marissa N Baudino; Anna Tielsch Goddard; Donna C Vickers; Terrah Foster Akard

doi:10.1016/j.cnur.2016.05.007

Animal-Assisted Therapy in Pediatric Palliative Care

Nurs Clin North Am. 2016 Sep;51(3):381-95. doi: 10.1016/j.cnur.2016.05.007.

Authors

Mary Jo Gilmer¹, Marissa N Baudino², Anna Tielsch Goddard², Donna C Vickers³, Terrah Foster Akard⁴

Affiliations

¹ Pediatric Palliative Care Research Team, Vanderbilt University School of Nursing, Monroe Carell Jr Children's Hospital at Vanderbilt, Vanderbilt University, 417 Godchaux Hall, 461 21st Avenue South, Nashville, TN 37240, USA. Electronic address: maryjo.gilmer@vanderbilt.edu.
² School of Nursing, Vanderbilt University, Nashville, TN, USA.
³ Interventional Cardiology, Archbold Medical Group, Thomasville, GA, USA.
⁴ Pediatric Palliative Care Research Team, Vanderbilt University, Nashville, TN, USA.

PMID: 27497015
DOI: 10.1016/j.cnur.2016.05.007

Abstract

Animal-assisted therapy is an emerging complementary strategy with an increasing presence in the literature. Limited studies have been conducted with children, particularly those with life-threatening and life-limiting conditions. Although outcomes show promise in decreasing suffering of children receiving palliative care services, more work is needed to validate evidence to support implementation of animal-assisted therapy with this vulnerable population.

Keywords: Animal-assisted therapy; Evidence-based practice; Interventions; Palliative care; Pediatrics; Suffering.

Publication types

Review

MeSH terms

Adolescent
Animal Assisted Therapy / organization & administration*
Child
Child, Preschool
Chronic Disease / therapy*
Evidence-Based Practice / organization & administration*
Female
Humans
Infant
Male
Palliative Care / methods*
Pediatrics / methods*