Recommendations for Implementation of Dog Therapy Intervention in the Athletic Training Facility
Click name to view affiliation
Search for other papers by Rebecca Covach in
Current site
Google Scholar
PubMed
Search for other papers by Lindsey Keenan in
Current site
Google Scholar
PubMed
Search for other papers by Emily Duckett in
Current site
Google Scholar
PubMed
Dog therapy is implemented in various healthcare fields because of its unique ability to reduce perceived anxiety and hormonal stress, increase positive patient relationships with practitioners, and assist with demonstrating procedures. However, implementation of dog therapy in a clinical athletic training setting is not frequently discussed in relevant literature. This article outlines recommendations for the use and efficacy of therapy dogs in an athletic training facility, based on data from several studies across various healthcare fields. We provide information regarding best practice recommendations to incorporate therapy dogs into athletic training services, as well as the necessary administrative aspects and safeguards. Athletic trainers can use these recommendations and framework to explore the implementation of dog therapy into clinical practice.
Duckett (educkett@wcupa.edu) is corresponding author.
Therapy dogs are implemented to lower stress levels of the people they encounter.
It is important to ensure support from administration, faculty/staff, patients, and parents who are impacted by the therapy dog.
Informational brochures should be distributed to patients as an additional measure outlining acceptable interactions with the therapy dog, appropriate behavior around the therapy dog, and potential benefits of interacting with the therapy dog.
Therapy dogs are a largely underutilized resource as a therapeutic intervention in the athletic training setting.
© 2024 Human Kinetics