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Sklansky and Eric Balighian Hospital Pediatrics June 2015, 5 (6) 355-356; DOI: https://doi.org/10.1542/hpeds.2015-0089 Daniel J. Sklansky 1Department of Pediatrics, University of Wisconsin School of Medicine and Public Health, Madison, Wisconsin; and Find this author on Google Scholar Find this author on PubMed Search for this author on this site Eric Balighian 2Department of Pediatrics, John Hopkins Hospital, Baltimore, Maryland Find this author on Google Scholar Find this author on PubMed Search for this author on this site Article Info & Metrics Comments This article requires a subscription to view the full text. If you have a subscription you may use the login form below to view the article. Access to this article can also be purchased. Download PDF animal assisted therapy ketamine IS ANIMAL-ASSISTED THERAPY USEFUL IN IMPROVING INPATIENT COMFORT OUTCOMES? Pets, particularly dogs, are often seen on the pediatric ward for playtime with patients. Does evidence suggest that they have a positive effect on measurable outcomes? The study. This randomized controlled trial sought to determine if canine animal-assisted therapy improved pain scores and patient satisfaction in adults undergoing elective knee and hip arthroplasties. Patients assigned to the treatment group were visited daily for 3 days by a certified pet therapy dog for 15 minutes before physical therapy sessions. Outcomes were determined by using a validated visual analog scale (VAS) for pain and the Hospital Consumer Assessment of Healthcare Providers and Systems survey from the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services to measure patient satisfaction. The key findings. A total of 72 patients were randomized to treatment and control groups, with 36 in each group. Those undergoing animal-assisted therapy had lower VAS scores. After the first session, the treatment group (VAS 5.2, SD 1.4, 95% confidence interval [CI] 4.71–5.64) had an average VAS pain score 2.0 U lower than that of the control group (VAS 7.2, SD 1.4, 95% CI 6.71–7.3, P < .001). The final VAS score difference at day 3 was 2.4 U (P < .001). Compared with the control group, the treatment group … View Full Text Individual Login Log in You will be redirected to aap.org to login or to create your account. Institutional Login via Institution You may be able to gain access using your login credentials for your institution. Contact your librarian or administrator if you do not have a username and password. Log in through your institution If your organization uses OpenAthens, you can log in using your OpenAthens username and password. To check if your institution is supported, please see this list. Contact your library for more details. Purchase access You may purchase access to this article. This will require you to create an account if you don't already have one. Offer Reprints PreviousNext Back to top Advertising Disclaimer » In this issue Hospital Pediatrics Vol. 5, Issue 6 1 Jun 2015 Table of Contents Table of Contents (PDF) Index by author View this article with LENS PreviousNext Email Article Thank you for your interest in spreading the word on American Academy of Pediatrics. NOTE: We only request your email address so that the person you are recommending the page to knows that you wanted them to see it, and that it is not junk mail. We do not capture any email address. Your Email * Your Name * Send To * Enter multiple addresses on separate lines or separate them with commas. You are going to email the following More Bark, Less Bite Message Subject (Your Name) has sent you a message from American Academy of Pediatrics Message Body (Your Name) thought you would like to see the American Academy of Pediatrics web site. 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