Therapy dogs reduce anxiety in elderly patients in hospitals

For older people, this is particularly acute: confined wards, limited mobility, complex procedures and loneliness often lead to anxiety and depressed moods.

By 2050, the number of older people in the world is projected to double to over 2.2 billion by the 2070s. Almost a third of them experience symptoms of depression, which directly affects their quality of life and speed of recovery from illness. Against this background, simple ways to support patients' emotional well-being are particularly valuable. A recent pilot study has shown that even a short meeting with a therapy dog can significantly reduce anxiety and improve mood. This is according to a press release from Mars Waltham Petcare Science Institute.

How the study was conducted

A team of scientists supported by Mars Waltham Petcare Science Institute decided to test whether short, structured therapy dog visits could help elderly patients feel better.

The experiment included people aged 59 and over who had been in hospital for at least five days. The participants were randomly divided into three groups:

• one interacted with a therapy dog and its guide for 20 minutes each for three consecutive days;

• the second group met only with the guide, without the dog;

• the third received standard hospital care with no additional visits.

Results: the dog as a "moment of calm"

The results were unequivocal: the dog did work as a therapist. Patients who spent time with therapy dogs reported a marked reduction in anxiety and improved mood immediately after each session.

In the group where only the guide came in, no such changes were recorded. This emphasises that the effect is related specifically to the presence of the animal and not just human companionship.

In addition, participants in the 'dog' group rated their experience significantly higher than those who received only standard care. They described the meetings as a "moment of calm" and a "breath of life" during a challenging period of treatment.

In the long term - one day, one month and six months after the study - no pronounced changes in depression levels were found. This suggests that the effect of therapy dogs is quick and primarily emotional: it helps to get through the most difficult moments, but cannot replace comprehensive psychological help.

The scientists draw a cautious but important conclusion: even short visits by therapy dogs can be a simple and effective way to reduce stress and anxiety in hospitals, especially in elderly patients. This form of interaction provides a sense of warmth, caring and emotional connection that is often lacking during treatment.