26 - Qualitative Analysis of Caregiver Response to Therapy Dog Intervention in the Pediatric Emergency Department

Poster Number: 26
Publication Number: 26.405

Amy Edgerton, University of Louisville School of Medicine, Louisville, KY, United States; samantha lucrezia, Norton Children's Pediatric Emergency Department, Louisville, KY, United States; Michelle Stevenson, University of Louisville School of Medicine, Louisville, KY, United States

Background: Therapy dogs have been shown to reduce anxiety in a variety of medical settings. There is greater need to understand the therapy dog's role in assisting with the pediatric patient's emotional management in an emergency department setting.

Objective: To develop a model of caregiver response to their child's encounter with a therapy dog and child life specialist in a pediatric emergency department.

Design/Methods: In an ongoing study, 31 eligible children ages 4-12 with at least mild anxiety during their visit to the pediatric emergency department, received an intervention with a therapy dog and child life specialist. After the intervention, caregivers were provided a satisfaction survey to complete with an optional section for comments. The comments were collected and analyzed using grounded theory and a process of open, axial, and selective coding. Three investigators independently read comments and identified codes using a constant comparative approach. Codes were grouped into categories and axial coding was used to examine the interrelationship of these categories to develop overarching themes and a conceptual model through consensus.

Results: Qualitative analysis of the codes revealed four overarching themes in response to a therapy dog intervention. These themes include calming of the child, calming of the parent, improvement in the child's mood, and praise for the intervention. Specific example quotes include:

“The therapy dog was the best part of the visit! Such a positive and calming experience for the patients and family!”
“Overall a very positive experience. Calmed both child and parents. Thank you so much!!! Wish more places had programs like this.”
“Made her smile, first time I’d seen a smile all day. They were very pleasant and helped a great deal.”
“My daughter really enjoyed interacting with the dog Duncan today. She says she feels more calm and happy and would love to see him every time she has to come here.”Conclusion(s): This study qualitatively describes caregiver response to a therapy dog intervention in a pediatric emergency department. An encounter with a therapy dog and child life specialist was perceived as a positive experience according to grounded theory coding framework, which was reported to be calming of both the child and the caregiver, resulting in improvement of the child’s mood. Caregivers expressed an appreciation for the dog and program along with desire to replicate the experience in the future.
CV Amy EdgertonCV Amy Edgerton.pdf