Should Pets Be Allowed in Hospitals? The Science Behind Therapy Animals

A Paw in the Healing Process?
Imagine this: a pediatric cancer patient lights up with joy as a Labrador retriever gently places its head on their lap. An elderly man with dementia, previously nonverbal, smiles and whispers “good dog.” A stressed-out ICU nurse takes a brief break with a therapy cat purring beside her.

Scenes like these are not just heartwarming—they are becoming evidence-based practices in hospitals worldwide.

The growing field of Animal-Assisted Therapy (AAT) challenges traditional notions of sterile, pet-free medical environments. It also raises a critical and ongoing debate:
Should pets be allowed in hospitals—and under what circumstances?

In this comprehensive exploration, we examine:

• The origins and science behind AAT
  
  
• Its benefits for patients, staff, and hospital culture
  
  
• The ethical, medical, and logistical concerns
  
  
• Global case studies and implementation strategies
  
  
• Whether the modern hospital should embrace furry companions as part of healing
  

1. What Is Animal-Assisted Therapy (AAT)?
Animal-Assisted Therapy refers to the intentional inclusion of trained animals in therapeutic settings to achieve physical, emotional, cognitive, or social improvements in patients.

It is different from pet visitation, which is informal and typically involves personal pets. AAT is:

• Structured
  
  
• Goal-oriented
  
  
• Supervised by healthcare professionals or certified handlers
  
  
• Measured for outcomes
  

Common AAT animals include:

• Dogs (most popular and widely accepted)
  
  
• Cats (used in psychiatric and geriatric settings)
  
  
• Horses (used in equine therapy, typically off-site)
  
  
• Rabbits, birds, and even miniature pigs (used selectively for children or trauma survivors)
  

2. A Brief History of Animals in Healing

• Ancient civilizations: Egyptians, Greeks, and Romans believed in the healing power of animals.
  
  
• 19th century: Florence Nightingale noted that small pets reduced anxiety in psychiatric patients.
  
  
• World War II: The US Army used dogs to support recovering soldiers emotionally.
  
  
• 1960s: Psychologist Boris Levinson coined “pet therapy” after observing positive effects of his dog on autistic children.
  
  
• Modern times: Institutions like Mayo Clinic, Johns Hopkins, and UCLA use certified therapy animals in various departments.
  

3. Scientific Evidence: Do Therapy Animals Really Work?
Numerous peer-reviewed studies validate the effectiveness of animal-assisted therapy:

A. Physiological Benefits

• Decreased cortisol (stress hormone) levels
  
  
• Lower blood pressure and heart rate
  
  
• Improved pain perception and tolerance
  
  
• Enhanced motor skills in rehabilitation
  

B. Psychological Benefits

• Reduced anxiety, depression, and loneliness
  
  
• Improved social interaction and communication, especially in autism and dementia
  
  
• Greater emotional expression in trauma or grief therapy
  

C. Cognitive and Behavioral Improvements

• Increased motivation in pediatric and physical therapy
  
  
• Improved attention span in psychiatric patients
  
  
• Calming effect on agitated or aggressive behaviors
  

D. Staff Wellbeing

• Boosts morale among healthcare workers
  
  
• Reduces perceived burnout and emotional exhaustion
  
  
• Enhances workplace satisfaction
  

Summary: AAT is not a luxury. It is a complementary therapeutic tool with measurable outcomes.

4. Where AAT Is Most Effective: Clinical Use Cases
A. Pediatrics

• Children undergoing chemotherapy or painful procedures find comfort in interacting with therapy animals.
  
  
• AAT improves compliance, reduces fear, and provides a positive distraction.
  

B. Geriatrics and Dementia Units

• Elderly patients, especially those with Alzheimer’s disease, respond with emotional reawakening during therapy pet visits.
  
  
• Nonverbal communication improves, and aggression or agitation can decrease.
  

C. Psychiatry and Mental Health

• Patients with PTSD, anxiety, and depression often experience increased trust, bonding, and calmness when animals are included in therapy.
  
  
• Veterans with PTSD show reduced symptoms with regular canine visits.
  

D. Rehabilitation and Physical Therapy

• Holding, walking, or grooming a pet can aid in motor coordination and strength building.
  
  
• Motivation to participate in therapy improves, especially post-stroke or post-surgery.
  

E. Palliative and Hospice Care

• Terminally ill patients find emotional comfort and peace in their final days through contact with animals.
  
  
• AAT can reduce the need for anxiolytic medications.
  

5. Should Hospitals Allow Personal Pets for Patients?
The idea of allowing patients' own pets into hospitals is more controversial but gaining traction in palliative and long-term care.

Arguments in Favor:

• Enhances emotional wellbeing
  
  
• Reunites families in times of distress
  
  
• Improves appetite and mood
  
  
• Fulfills dying patients’ last wishes
  

Concerns:

• Hygiene and infection control
  
  
• Risk of bites, allergies, or phobias
  
  
• Lack of animal behavior certification
  
  
• Logistical issues (leashes, waste, containment)
  

Some hospitals now allow brief, supervised pet visits for:

• ICU patients after major surgeries
  
  
• Hospice and end-of-life care
  
  
• Long-term pediatric patients
  

Each case is considered individually under strict screening and guidelines.

6. Safety First: Infection Control and Risk Management
The primary concern raised by critics of AAT is hospital safety.

A. Infection Risk
Potential risks:

• Zoonotic diseases (e.g., ringworm, MRSA)
  
  
• Shedding fur in sterile environments
  
  
• Immunocompromised patient exposure
  

Solutions:

• Only healthy, vaccinated, groomed animals should be allowed
  
  
• Regular screening for parasites and pathogens
  
  
• Restricting visits to non-sterile areas
  
  
• Use of blankets, hand sanitizers, and other barrier methods
  

B. Allergies and Phobias
Not all patients (or staff) are comfortable around animals. Common issues:

• Allergic reactions
  
  
• Cultural or religious objections
  
  
• Fear or trauma history related to animals
  

Solutions:

• AAT should be opt-in only, with signed consent
  
  
• Clear signage when therapy animals are present
  
  
• Alternative spaces for those uncomfortable around animals
  

C. Liability and Legal Issues
Hospitals must:

• Ensure insurance coverage for AAT programs
  
  
• Establish protocols for bites or scratches
  
  
• Clarify handler qualifications and roles
  
  
• Abide by national animal therapy certification standards
  

7. Real-World Case Studies
A. Mount Sinai Hospital, New York

• Implements “Paws & Relax” programs for both patients and staff
  
  
• Found reduced stress in pediatric and geriatric wards
  

B. UCLA’s People-Animal Connection

• Hosts one of the most robust hospital-based AAT programs
  
  
• Uses more than 60 certified therapy dogs in 1,000+ patient visits per month
  

C. Japan’s Hospital Clown-Dog Program

• Trains therapy dogs to visit pediatric cancer units alongside clown therapists
  
  
• Shown to decrease need for sedatives before invasive procedures
  

D. Canadian Hospice Programs

• Allow personal pets to visit dying patients
  
  
• Resulted in improved family closure and emotional comfort
  

8. The Staff Angle: Helping the Healers Heal
Healthcare workers face:

• Burnout
  
  
• Emotional fatigue
  
  
• PTSD (especially post-pandemic)
  

Hospitals are now using therapy animals for staff wellness, with benefits including:

• Reduced stress hormone levels
  
  
• Improved team morale
  
  
• Mental resets during long shifts
  
  
• Support for staff post-code blue events or trauma cases
  

These benefits indirectly improve patient care through better functioning and emotionally supported teams.

9. Implementation: How Hospitals Can Start AAT Programs
Step-by-Step Guide

1. Get Administrative Buy-In
   Present evidence, staff feedback, and policy frameworks.
   
   
2. Collaborate with Certified Organizations
   Partner with national or regional therapy animal groups (e.g., Pet Partners, Therapy Dogs International).
   
   
3. Develop Protocols
   Infection control, handler ID badges, consent forms, allergy signage, restricted zones.
   
   
4. Educate Staff and Patients
   Clarify rules, expectations, and boundaries.
   
   
5. Start with Pilot Units
   Pediatrics, geriatrics, psych—low-risk, high-reward units.
   
   
6. Monitor Outcomes
   Use surveys, observation, and patient feedback to adjust and grow the program.
   

10. Ethical Considerations: Do Animals Want to Be There?

• Animal welfare must not be overlooked.
  
  
• Therapy animals should:
  
  • Receive regular rest
    
    
  • Be voluntarily participating
    
    
  • Show no signs of stress
    
    
  • Be trained for comfort, not just obedience
    

Some programs use animal behaviorists to assess and ensure emotional safety for the pets themselves.

Conclusion: Medicine with Fur, Love, and Evidence
In 2025, the question is no longer “Should animals be in hospitals?” but “How do we integrate them safely and ethically?”

Animal-Assisted Therapy is not a replacement for medicine—it is an enhancement of human care. It brings warmth into cold wards, motivation into physical therapy, and peace into end-of-life scenarios.

For patients, it offers comfort.
For staff, it offers relief.
For medicine, it offers a reminder that healing is as emotional as it is physical.

Allowing pets—or at least trained therapy animals—in hospitals isn't about breaking tradition. It's about evolving into a more human and humane healthcare system.