They are the secret weapon for easing stress.
A recent study reveals that therapy dogs can uplift health care workers just as effectively as they do patients in hospitals. The research found that these furry companions significantly decreased emotional exhaustion and job-related stress among a small group of staff members in surgical and intensive care units across the Midwest.
Lead researcher Beth Steinberg, a senior researcher at Ohio State University’s Center for Integrative Health, noted the powerful emotional impact of the dogs. She observed that many staff members were moved to tears while interacting with the animals, sharing their daily experiences. Steinberg emphasized the unique bond people have with non-judgmental animals, stating, “Dogs don’t care about appearances; they’re just there when you need comfort.”
Steinberg co-founded Buckeye Paws, a therapy dog initiative designed to enhance the mental well-being of employees at Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center. Launched in March 2020, just before the onset of the pandemic, the program aimed to support health care professionals facing immense challenges.
To assess the program’s impact, researchers conducted sessions with 64 health care workers, including doctors, nurses, and therapists. Steinberg noted that recruitment for the study was straightforward, as many staff members were eager to participate in the therapy dog interactions. Even prior to the pandemic, many were already experiencing high levels of stress and burnout.
Over the course of the study, which ran from October 2021 to March 2022, seven certified therapy dogs visited the hospital three times a week. Participants were encouraged to interact with the dogs freely, whether briefly at their workstations or in break rooms. They completed mood assessments before and after their interactions, which consistently showed immediate improvements in stress levels and emotional well-being. The findings, published in the International Journal of Complementary & Alternative Medicine, suggest that incorporating animal-assisted activities in busy hospital settings can lead to significant mood enhancements for health care workers.
Following the study, Buckeye Paws expanded in March 2022 to offer therapy dog services to the broader Ohio State University community, now consisting of 29 dog-handler teams, with more teams in training.
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