Effects of the COVID-19 Pandemic on Animal-Assisted Activities in Pediatric Hospitals

ABSTRACT:

Introduction

The goal of this study was to document current hospital-based animal-assisted activities (AAA) practices.

Method

We contacted 20 hospitals and asked about their AAA programs, including COVID-19 precautions.

Results

Eighteen of 20 hospitals responded. Before 2020, all offered either in-person only (n = 17) or both in-person and virtual AAA visits (n = 1). In early 2022, 13 provided in-person visits; the five hospitals that had not resumed in-person visits planned to restart. Most hospitals stopped group visits. Most required that patients and handlers be free of COVID-19 symptoms and that handlers be vaccinated and wear masks and eye protection. Most did not require COVID-19 vaccination for patients. None required handlers to test negative for COVID-1

SUBMITTER: Chubak J 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC9547756 | biostudies-literature | 2022 Sep

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature