Page 52 - JSOM Winter 2017

Figure 1 Therapy dog with behavioral health staff member. the therapy dog. Twenty-nine BH staff members participated
in the survey, including psychiatrists, psychologists, nurses, so-
cial workers, and front desk staff.

Results
Survey results indicated 86% (n = 25) of BH staff identified an
overall positive impact of the AAT dog program on patients.
The survey results also revealed that 72% (n = 21) of staff
identified improved patient mood; 69% (n = 20) identified
patients as more relaxed; 66% (n = 19) identified improved
patient attitude toward their therapy; and 55% (n = 16) identi-
fied increased social interactions among patients. Additionally,
7% (n = 2) observed patients avoiding or ignoring the dog,
and 3% (n = 1) observed patients as more tense or uncomfort-
able around the dog (Table 1). Interestingly, 100% (n = 29)
of the BH staff reported a desire to continue the AAT dog
program at the military facility.
Table 1 Staff Observations (N = 29) of the Impact of an Animal-
Assisted Therapy Dog Program on Behavioral Health Patients
Observed Impact No. (%)
Figure 2 Survey given to behavioral health staff. Positive
1. During your time as a staff member in Behavioral Health, have Improved mood 21 (72)
you observed the therapy dog, Nathan, interacting with patients? More relaxed 20 (69)
Yes  Increased positive attitude 19 (66)
No  More social 16 (55)
2. Were your observations: More talkative 15 (52)
Frequent  More distracted from disorder 11 (38)
Occasional 
Rare/never  More open 9 (31)
Negative
3. If you observed interactions of the therapy dog with the patients,
do you feel the effect on the patient was: Avoiding the dog 2 (7)
Positive  More tense 1 (3)
Negative 
Both 
Neither  Discussion
4. A positive effect on the patient that you have observed includes The purpose of this study was to determine the attitudes of BH
(check all that apply):
staff members regarding the impact of a year-long AAT dog
Patient is more talkative  program on active-duty BH patients and whether the program
Patient is more cooperative  should be continued. Results indicated that most BH staff
Patient is more relaxed 
Patient has improved mood  identified an overall positive impact of the AAT dog program
Patient has improved attitude  on patients and the staff was unanimous in their desire to con-
Patient has increased social interaction  tinue the program at the military hospital.
Patient is more open 
Patient is more distracted from their illness 
Other  Previous research has found that AAT programs have posi-
5. A negative effect on the patient that you have observed includes tive effects on individuals with physical and/or psychological
2,3
(check all that apply): disorders. The results of our study support these findings
and shed light on the observable impact of AAT on Service-
Patient is fearful of the dog 
Patient is avoiding/ignoring the dog  members by BH specialists. It is particularly important to note
Patient is demonstrating hostility toward the dog  that even though 10% (n = 3) of the staff reported a negative
Patient is more tense or uncomfortable  impact of the program on the patients, all the staff expressed
Patient is experiencing an increase in the desire to continue the program. Although there were some
allergies/asthma symptoms  observed negative responses, the benefits of the program
Other 
6. In regard to the future of the Behavioral Health animal assisted overall may outweigh potential negative affects. These find-
therapy program, would you recommend: ings provide support for military healthcare facilities that are
considering an AAT dog program with BH patients and also
Continuation 
Continuation and expansion  provide support for military facilities wishing to continue an
Discontinuation  AAT dog program.
Other 
Limitations of this study include a small sample size; lack of
well as write in other observations. Criteria for participation detailed information about staff exposure to the patients and
in the survey included (1) employed as a BH staff member and dog; no information on staff biases toward the program, such
(2) having observed patients in the presence and absence of as a fear or dislike of dogs; and lack of detailed information

50 | JSOM Volume 17, Edition 4/Winter 2017