The application of animal-assisted therapies has already been tested in different patient contexts. On this occasion, research carried out by the 12 de Octubre University Hospital in Madrid, together with the Animals and Society Chair of the Rey Juan Carlos University, has shown a notable reduction in pain, anxiety and fear in children hospitalized in care units. intensive care units (ICU). This analysis has been carried out around the pioneering project in our country Huellas de Colores, started in 2019 in the Pediatric Intensive Care and Resuscitation Unit (PICU) of October 12 and both institutions are still running, together with the entity Bitácora.
The study, published in the European Journal of Pediatrics, examined physical indicators (heart rate, respiratory rate, blood pressure and oxygen saturation) and emotional indicators (fear, anxiety and pain scales) in 61 children aged 4 to 15 years, finding significant improvements after animal-assisted therapy. Since the beginning of the project, a notable decrease in pain – up to three points – has been observed, as well as in levels of fear and anxiety after canine visits in minors in serious situations.
The results also highlight the importance of close collaboration between medical personnel and those in charge of animal therapy to appropriately select patients and define clear therapeutic objectives. This collaborative approach, which includes doctors, psychologists, occupational therapists and specially trained dogs –Zenit and Senna–, has been key to the success of the Huellas de Colores project in these almost five years.
Dogs provide emotional relief to hospitalized children
The contact of children hospitalized in the PICU of Hospital 12 de Octubre with therapeutic dogs has emerged as an emotionally enriching stimulus, capturing their attention towards an affectionate and friendly presence. This interaction offers them a way to express feelings and distract themselves from the reason for their hospital stay. According to the professionals of the ‘Huellas de Colores’ project, the presence of the dog provides significant emotional relief, injecting a dose of joy into your routine.
The collaboration between the three organizations has been key to launching this innovative project, demonstrating that animal therapies offer notable improvements in physical, social, motor and cognitive aspects of patients, thanks to their unique ability to stimulate motivation.
Annually, the PICU at Hospital 12 de Octubre provides critical care to approximately 500 patients, including children with respiratory, infectious, oncological, neurological diseases and many with congenital heart diseases, both pre- and post-surgery.
Since 2016, the Animals and Society Research Chair, located in the Faculty of Health Sciences of the Rey Juan Carlos University (URJC) – the first of its kind in the Spanish public university – explores how the relationships between humans and animals are mutually beneficial.
