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Animal Assisted Therapy
Effects of Animal-Assisted Therapy on Trauma Patient's Willingness to Participate in Ambulation
Who can join
Ages 4 to 99 · All sexes
Full eligibility criteria
Inclusion Criteria: * Adults (18 years of age and older) * trauma patients * emergency general surgery patients * pediatric patients (4 - 17 years old) Exclusion Criteria: * weight bearing limitation * spine instability * oxygen requirement \>2LPM, GCS \<15, * high fall risk (as evidenced by door label) * fear of dogs * allergies to dogs * prisoners
About the study
This study looks at whether walking with a therapy dog helps adult and pediatric trauma patients move more during their hospital stay. Early movement after an injury or surgery can prevent problems such as blood clots, pressure sores, and muscle loss, but pain and anxiety often make it hard for patients to get out of bed.
Each patient in this study takes part in two walking sessions-one with a certified therapy dog and one without a dog. The order is randomized, so some patients walk with the dog first and others walk without the dog first. Before and after each walk, patients fill out short surveys about their pain, anxiety, and motivation to move. The research team measures how far and how long each patient walks in both sessions.
The goal of this project is to see if therapy dog visits can safely and effectively improve mobility, reduce pain and anxiety, and make walking more enjoyable for trauma patients. Findings from this study may help hospitals design better rehabilitation programs that use animal-assisted therapy to support physical and emotional recovery.
What is being tested
- Therapy Dog (other)
- Standard mobilization (other)
Sponsor: Andrew Bernard · Participants: 128 · Started: Jul 23, 2025
Contact the study team
- Andrew Bernard, MD · Phone: 8593236346
Official record on ClinicalTrials.gov — NCT07227181
Locations in the U.S.
| Kentucky | University of Kentucky Albert B. Chandler Hospital, Lexington |
Conditions
From ClinicalTrials.gov, data retrieved Sep 30, 2026. Each study sets its own eligibility; the study team decides who can join.