FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Oct. 5, 2018
Contact: Dr. Megan M. Hosey, mhosey@jhu.edu, 410-614-4030
Animals in the ICU: Good boys for good care
Study finds therapy animals are more beneficial to patients by creating a ‘humanized’ ICU environment
BALTIMORE –– It’s “ruff” life no more for ICU patients.
A study from the Johns Hopkins School of Medicine found therapy animals offer a more “paw”-sitive coping mechanism for ICU patients.
“Our research suggests a model for the use of non-pharmaceutical options to reduce suffering and promote recovery for patients in a less stressful critical care environment,” said Dr. Megan M. Hosey, assistant professor of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation and the lead researcher.
The study showed, by using support animals in these environments, patients’ moods improved, their loneliness decreased and they were more motivated to rehabilitation and medical care. The animals involved help reduce psychological stress, and the need for anxiety medication, and slow down the patient’s heart rate.
“Calming and anxiety-related medications given to manage patient symptoms are associated with confusion and worse physical and mental health outcomes,” said Hosey. “Creating a humanized ICU environment and incorporating non-medicinal treatments helped patients resume normal living before even leaving the hospital.”
In one area, researchers found anecdotal evidence that a dog sitting in a patient’s lap did more to ease suffering and build motivation in ways traditional medication may not. Good boy!
In another, a golden retriever was able to distract a patient out of surgery from their pain and help them find relaxation. Good girl!
These “good boys and girls” are committed to the cause.
“As critical care medicine is increasingly successful in preventing death, the field is more focused on optimizing patients’ survivorship experience,” Hosey said.
For more information about animals making “paw”-sitive impact in the ICU, visit hopkinsmedicine.org/animal-assisted-therapy or call: 410-614-4030.
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