We are undertaking the UK's first research into the benefit of hospital therapy dogs and the effects they have on paediatric patients while in hospital. In the first instance, we will look at experience feedback from the children, parents and the healthcare professionals who have had direct experience of the volunteer therapy dog teams at Southampton Children’s Hospital.  

As we progress we will look at the physiological impact of this. For example, is this a psychological ‘nice feeling’ or is there a real physical impact on things like heart rate, blood pressure, cortisol and adrenalin? What about engagement and patient compliance with treatment and therapies? And what impact does all this have on recovery and wellbeing of a patient.

Our starting point is the impact of dogs with child patients, but the same principles could over time be mirrored into other departments and on into veterinary– Do animals recover better in a veterinary hospital or with their human family? Do family visits aid animal recovery.

For the Humanimal Trust the human animal bond and reciprocity between species is at the core of what we do so that all species benefit simultaneously.  Mirroring the studies in veterinary healthcare will ensure that both humans and animals benefit from the research in this field. 

Thanks for taking the time to visit my JustGiving page. Donating through JustGiving is simple, fast and totally secure. Your details are safe with JustGiving - they'll never sell them on or send unwanted emails. Once you donate, they'll send your money directly to the charity. So it's the most efficient way to donate - saving time and cutting costs for the charity.