NCT07221006

Impact of Facility Dog Intervention on Pediatric Patients

Investigating the Impact of Facility Dog Intervention on Pediatric Patient Fear, Coping, and Anxiety During Inpatient Admission

• Status: Not Yet Recruiting
• Phase: N/A
• Study type: Interventional
• Enrollment: 126 (estimated)
• Sponsor: Children's Hospital Colorado · Academic / Other
• Sex: All
• Age: 8 Years – 17 Years
• Healthy volunteers: Not accepted

Summary

The goal of this clinical trial is to learn if medical dog intervention facilitated by a Certified Child Life Specialist (CCLS) impacts pediatric patient coping, fear, and anxiety during inpatient admissions. The main questions it aims to answer are: What impact does facility dog support via a CCLS have on patient fear, coping, and anxiety? What effect does facility dog support via a CCLS have on patient heart rate? Researchers will compare medical dog intervention facilitated by a CCLS, CCLS intervention, and a coloring activity to see if medical dog interventions positively impact coping, fear, and anxiety. Participants will: Receive a visit from a medical dog and their CCLS handler, a CCLS, or a Child Life Activity coordinator. Engage in a mindfulness or coloring activity. Answer surveys regarding anxiety, coping, and fear. Have their heart rate measured before, during, and after their assigned intervention.

Conditions

• Inpatients
• Pediatric

Interventions

Type	Name	Description
BEHAVIORAL	Coloring page activity led by CLAC	Participants will be provided coloring pages and colored pencils or crayons led by a Child Life Activity Coordinator, and will engage in the activity for 15 minutes.
BEHAVIORAL	Mindfulness Activity led by CCLS	Participants will engage in a 10 minute mindfulness activity led by a Certified Child Life Specialist who will follow a mindfulness script. Participants will hold a stress ball during the activity.
BEHAVIORAL	Mindfulness Activity led by CCLS and Facility Dog	Participants will engage in a 10 minute mindfulness activity led by a Certified Child Life Specialist who will follow a mindfulness script. Participants will be able to be next to and touch the medical dog during the activity.

Timeline

• Start date: 2025-12-01
• Primary completion: 2026-12-01
• Completion: 2026-12-01
• First posted: 2025-10-27
• Last updated: 2025-11-03

Locations

1 site across 1 country: United States