Nursing Campus Therapy Dog: A Pilot Study

This experimental pilot study investigated the long term effect of a therapy dog on the symptoms of anxiety and depression experienced by nursing students. Participants, assigned to a control or treatment group, completed the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale at the beginning and end of a 16 week semester. While there was no measurable effect on depression, participants in the treatment group had significantly less symptoms of anxiety at the end of the semester.
Source: Teaching and Learning in Nursing - Category: Nursing Authors: Source Type: research