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Animal-assisted interventions in healthcare settings to promote well-being : a scoping review
Mini Dissertation (MA (Counselling Psychology))--University of Pretoria, 2025.
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| Format: | Thesis |
| Language: | English |
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University of Pretoria
2025
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| _version_ | 1867613523277774848 |
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| access_status_str | Open Access |
| author2 | Guse, Tharina |
| author_browse | Guse, Tharina |
| author_facet | Guse, Tharina |
| collection | Thesis |
| dc_rights_str_mv | © 2024 University of Pretoria. All rights reserved. The copyright in this work vests in the University of Pretoria. No part of this work may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means, without the prior written permission of the University of Pretoria. |
| description | Mini Dissertation (MA (Counselling Psychology))--University of Pretoria, 2025. |
| format | Thesis |
| id | oai:repository.up.ac.za:2263/103337 |
| institution | University of Pretoria (South Africa) |
| language | English |
| last_indexed | 2026-06-10T12:37:30.101Z |
| license_str | Other — see source repository |
| provenance_str_mv | Harvested via OAI-PMH from UPSpace — University of Pretoria Institutional Repository |
| publishDate | 2025 |
| publishDateRange | 2025 |
| publishDateSort | 2025 |
| publisher | University of Pretoria |
| publisherStr | University of Pretoria |
| record_format | dspace |
| source_str | UPSpace — University of Pretoria Institutional Repository |
| spelling | oai:repository.up.ac.za:2263/103337 Animal-assisted interventions in healthcare settings to promote well-being : a scoping review Guse, Tharina Caylab2212@gmail.com Bergman-Ally, Cayla UCTD Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) Animal-assisted interventions Healthcare setting Well-being Hedonic Eudaimonic Mini Dissertation (MA (Counselling Psychology))--University of Pretoria, 2025. This study examines the implementation and impact of animal-assisted interventions (AAIs) in healthcare settings through a well-being framework that considers hedonic, eudaimonic, and physical dimensions. AAIs involve structured interactions between humans and trained animals to promote well-being across emotional, psychological, social, and physical domains. A scoping review was conducted following Arksey and O’Malley’s framework, with enhancements from Levac et al., and guided by PRISMA-ScR guidelines. A systematic search of academic databases identified peer-reviewed empirical studies in English that investigated AAIs in healthcare settings and reported well-being outcomes. Findings indicate that AAIs have been implemented across various healthcare contexts, including paediatric, geriatric, psychiatric, and rehabilitation settings, with dogs being the most commonly used therapy animals. The analysis revealed 24 distinct well-being outcomes, encompassing improvements in mood, stress reduction, emotional regulation, increased social engagement, and enhanced motivation for physical activity. Additionally, AAIs contributed to reduced depressive symptoms, improved pain management, lower blood pressure, increased cognitive functioning, and enhanced quality of life for individuals with mental health conditions, dementia, and chronic illnesses. While AAIs were generally reported to have positive effects, challenges included variability in patient response, hygiene concerns, potential dependency on therapy animals, staff burden, and ethical considerations regarding animal welfare. The long-term sustainability and effectiveness of AAIs remain areas for further investigation. This study contributes to the evidence base by identifying both benefits and challenges associated with AAIs in healthcare. It highlights the need for standardized intervention protocols, enhanced training for healthcare professionals and handlers, and ethical guidelines to support contextually relevant implementation. Strengthening funding opportunities and piloting structured AAI programs could maximize their therapeutic benefits while mitigating potential risks. Ultimately, these findings reinforce the potential of AAIs as a complementary intervention that enhances multidimensional well-being within healthcare settings. Psychology MA (Counselling Psychology) Unrestricted Faculty of Humanities SDG-03: Good health and well-being 2025-07-14T10:59:24Z 2025-07-14T10:59:24Z 2025-09 2025-04 Mini Dissertation * S2025 http://hdl.handle.net/2263/103337 https://doi.org/10.25403/UPresearchdata.29502008 en © 2024 University of Pretoria. All rights reserved. The copyright in this work vests in the University of Pretoria. No part of this work may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means, without the prior written permission of the University of Pretoria. application/pdf University of Pretoria |
| spellingShingle | UCTD Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) Animal-assisted interventions Healthcare setting Well-being Hedonic Eudaimonic Animal-assisted interventions in healthcare settings to promote well-being : a scoping review |
| title | Animal-assisted interventions in healthcare settings to promote well-being : a scoping review |
| title_full | Animal-assisted interventions in healthcare settings to promote well-being : a scoping review |
| title_fullStr | Animal-assisted interventions in healthcare settings to promote well-being : a scoping review |
| title_full_unstemmed | Animal-assisted interventions in healthcare settings to promote well-being : a scoping review |
| title_short | Animal-assisted interventions in healthcare settings to promote well-being : a scoping review |
| title_sort | animal assisted interventions in healthcare settings to promote well being a scoping review |
| topic | UCTD Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) Animal-assisted interventions Healthcare setting Well-being Hedonic Eudaimonic |
| url | http://hdl.handle.net/2263/103337 https://doi.org/10.25403/UPresearchdata.29502008 |