Source: HABRI
A pilot study funded through the Human Animal Bond Research Institute (HABRI) is exploring whether therapy dog visits can reduce loneliness and improve mental health among hospitalized psychiatric patients. Led by Nancy R. Gee, PhD, at Virginia Commonwealth University, the study responds to growing concerns about loneliness, which is linked to serious health risks and affects up to 70% of adults with mental illness.
Researchers will enroll 60 psychiatric inpatients in a randomized controlled trial comparing four days of therapy dog visits, conversational visits without dogs, and standard treatment. The study aims to evaluate both the feasibility and effectiveness of animal-assisted interactions in reducing loneliness, anxiety, depression, and improving overall well-being.
Investigators expect patients participating in therapy dog visits to experience greater improvements in mental health outcomes than those in the comparison groups. The findings will help determine whether larger, multi-site clinical trials should be conducted and may provide evidence supporting therapy dogs as a valuable mental health intervention.