Effects of the COVID-19 Pandemic on Animal-Assisted Activities in Pediatric Hospitals

Abstract

Introduction: The goal of this study was to document current hospital-based animal-assisted activities (AAA) practices.

Method: We contacted 20 hospitals and asked about their AAA programs, including COVID-19 precautions.

Results: Eighteen of 20 hospitals responded. Before 2020, all offered either in-person only (n = 17) or both in-person and virtual AAA visits (n = 1). In early 2022, 13 provided in-person visits; the five hospitals that had not resumed in-person visits planned to restart. Most hospitals stopped group visits. Most required that patients and handlers be free of COVID-19 symptoms and that handlers be vaccinated and wear masks and eye protection. Most did not require COVID-19 vaccination for patients. None required handlers to test negative for COVID-19.

Discussion: The COVID-19 pandemic impacted hospital-based pediatric AAA. Future studies should assess the effectiveness of virtual AAA and of precautions to prevent COVID-19 transmission between patients and AAA volunteers.

Keywords: Animal-assisted activities; COVID-19; pediatrics.