Animal-Assisted Stress Management for Veterinary Staff.

This article focuses on a study evaluating the effects of animal-assisted interventions (AAIs) using therapy dogs on stress reduction among veterinary staff at BluePearl Pet Hospital. Over three months, 21 participants—including veterinary technicians, administrators, and veterinarians—engaged in therapy dog visits, with pre- and post-session measures of blood pressure, heart rate, and self-reported stress collected. Results showed significant decreases in systolic and diastolic blood pressure and self-reported stress after interactions with therapy dogs, though no significant changes were found in compassion satisfaction, burnout, or secondary traumatic stress scores. Participants reported positive perceptions of the visits, indicating that therapy dog interactions made them feel happier and helped distract from work-related stress. The study highlights AAIs as a promising support strategy for veterinary professionals' well-being while noting limitations such as small sample size and variability in session attendance.