Prim-ly adding care: Case report of a student nurse/service dog team

Abstract

Traditionally, a therapy dog has been a complimentary tool used by healthcare providers to provide stress relief to patients. However, animals can perform functions at an even greater capacity. Service animals are becoming a part of the healthcare team, by providing unique assistance to the healthcare providers rather than the patients. Thus, the workforce has expanded to include service dogs as a part of the healthcare team. This article discusses the unique challenges and opportunities provided by the use of service animal as a part of the healthcare team, as provided by the piloted use of a service animal with a student nurse in an acute care facility.