Pet-facilitated therapy as adjunctive care for home hospice patients: A human service program design to promote quality of life
Abstract (summary)
An exploratory study was carried out to examine the value of pet-facilitated therapy (PFT) as an adjunctive service for home-hospice patients and to develop a comprehensive model for implementing a home-hospice PFT program. A central New Jersey home-hospice program and the New Jersey chapter of Therapy Dogs International were used as the prototypes for this project. A needs assessment was conducted to document: (i) the psychosocial needs of home-hospice patients and how pets might uniquely contribute to serving those needs; (ii) the attitudes and concerns of the community volunteers who visit home-hospice patients and who would staff the proposed PET program; and (iii) the viability and organizational implications of implementing a pet program in patients' private homes. A sample of 101 hospice volunteers were surveyed using two original instruments (The Pet Visitation Program Survey Form and the Volunteer Survey Form) and various subject-matter experts and key informants were interviewed. Data analysis consisted of descriptive statistical methods including frequency distributions and measures of central tendency and variability. Important contextual variables and the benefits and limitations of PFT for patients, the volunteer-patient relationship, and the overall hospice organization are presented and discussed. Results indicate that PFT is consistent with palliative care principles and the psychosocial needs of dying patients. Interacting with specially trained companion animals can provide patients with pleasure, humor, levity, stress reduction, and a sense of purpose, thus improving their quality of life. Pets can also serve as transition objects, helping dying patients to divest themselves of human relationships while, at the same time, meeting their ongoing need for companionship. Results indicate that sufficient resources are available within each organization to design and implement a home-based PFT program, and the service is valued and strongly supported by all relevant personnel. A detailed program design and evaluation plan are delineated to provide a foundation for the program's successful implementation and continuous development.
Indexing (details)
Social psychology;
Clinical psychology
0451: Social psychology