Research Article

Nurse’s Opinion: Can Pet Therapy Be Used in the Treatment and Care of Chronic Diseases?

Volume: 16 Number: 3 July 1, 2025
Acıbadem Üniversitesi Sağlık Bilimleri Dergisi Cover
Acıbadem Üniversitesi Sağlık Bilimleri Dergisi
PDF Download
EN

Nurse’s Opinion: Can Pet Therapy Be Used in the Treatment and Care of Chronic Diseases?

Abstract

Background/Purpose: Animal-assisted therapies are used to alleviate disease-related symptoms and are delivered independently by nurses. The aim of this study was to assess nurses' opinions on the use of pet therapy in the treatment and care of chronic diseases. Methods: Data were collected through face-to-face interviews between October and April 2021. A total of 167 nurses were reached. The data collection used the Socio-demographic Characteristics Questionnaire, Views on Care of People with Chronic Diseases Questionnaire, Views on Use of Pet Therapy Questionnaire and Preferences on Use of Pet Therapy Questionnaire. A descriptive study design was used in adherence to the STROBE checklist. Results: We found that the nurses had not heard of pet therapy, wanted to use incorporate it into their practices through training and indicated that it could done with live animals, especially for disadvantaged groups. It was also evident that they felt that animal-assisted therapy applications would provide psychosocial support to patients. Conclusion: Given that pet therapy is considered to have positive effects in disease management, it is believed to be important for nurses as it can contribute to patient care processes.

Keywords

References

  1. 1.World Health Organization. (2022). Noncommunicable diseases. https://www.who.int/news-room/fact-sheets/detail/noncommunicable-diseases Accessed 24 March 2023
  2. 2. Özpulat, F. Kronik hastalıkların birey ve aile odaklı bakımında halk sağlığı hemşiresinin rolü. Turkiye Klinikleri J Public Health Nurs. 2017; Special Topics, 3: 77-82.
  3. 3. Bekiroğlu, S. and Attepe Özden, S. Psychosocial interventions for individuals with severe mental illness and their families in Turkey: A systematic review. Current Approaches in Psychiatry. 2021; 13(1):52-76. doi:10.18863/pgy.72198
  4. 4. NIC, (2004). Nursing Interventions Classification (NIC). 4th ed. 2004. http://www.seapaonline.org/uploads/documentacion/Metodolog%C3%ADa%20Enfermera/labeldefinitions-NIC.pdf Accessed 26 March 2023
  5. 5. Elmacı, D.T. and Cevizci, S. Dog-Assisted Therapies and Activities in rehabilitation of children with cerebral palsy and physical and mental disabilities. International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health. 2015; 12: 5046-5060. doi:10.3390/ijerph120505046.
  6. 6. McCullough, A., Ruehrdanz, A., Jenkins, M.A., et al. (2018). Measuring the Effects of an Animal Assisted Intervention for Pediatric Oncology Patientsand Their Parents: A Multisite Randomized Controlled Trial. Journal of Pediatric Oncology Nursing. 2018; 35:159–177.
  7. 7. Demiralay Ş. and Keser, İ. The Effect Of Pet Therapies On The Stress And Social Anxiety Levels Of Disabled Chıldren: A Randomized Controlled Trial. Complementary Therapies in Clinical Practice. 2022; 48:Article 101574. doi: 10.1016/j.ctcp.2022.101574.
  8. 8. Charnetski JC. and Riggers S. Effects of petting a dog on immune system function. Psychological Reports. 2004; 95: 1087-1091.

Details

Primary Language

English

Subjects

Primary Health Care , Health Services and Systems (Other)

Journal Section

Research Article

Authors

Early Pub Date

June 26, 2025

Publication Date

July 1, 2025

Submission Date

August 22, 2024

Acceptance Date

January 12, 2025

Published in Issue

Year 2025 Volume: 16 Number: 3

DOI

https://doi.org/10.31067/acusaglik.1536935

IZ

https://izlik.org/JA44EE57LY

Cite

RIS / Bibtex
EndNote
Baykal D, Demiralay Ş, Keser İ (July 1, 2025) Nurse’s Opinion: Can Pet Therapy Be Used in the Treatment and Care of Chronic Diseases? Acıbadem Üniversitesi Sağlık Bilimleri Dergisi 16 3 404–413.