Date of Award

2024

Document Type

Project

College/School

College of Nursing

Degree Name

Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP)

Project Mentor

Mary Shelkey

Readers

Courney Foss

Abstract

The number of Americans over the age of 65 is rapidly increasing. Loneliness and social isolation are common in this population. Research has shown that loneliness and social isolation can lead to adverse physical and mental conditions. Animal-assisted therapy uses human-animal interaction as a therapeutic intervention to provide mental, emotional, and physical benefits including decreased depression and anxiety, decreased loneliness, and increased socialization.

This project’s aim was to explore older adults’ perception of animal therapy sessions and its effects on loneliness. Participants engaged in an animal-assisted therapy session in a community-based senior center. Six participants volunteered to be interviewed. Participants identified 6 positive benefits of the therapy including the dog was not judgmental; the dog made them feel worthwhile; they could be their authentic self with the dog; the interaction with the dog was enjoyable and the dog showed warmth and love; the therapy sessions made them feel less anxious and happier; and encouraged them to leave their house and socialize. This project demonstrated that animal-assisted therapy has positive benefits for older adults including decreased anxiety, decreased loneliness, and increased socialization. These findings identified animal-assisted therapy as a successful intervention for loneliness in older adults.

Download

Share

COinS