Hund i vården : Fysiska, Psykiska och Sociala effekter av arbete med vårdhund

Sammanfattning: Background: Pet therapy has existed as a concept since 1964 when the American child psychologist Boris Levinson coined the term. Nowadays Animal Assisted Activity (AAA) and Animal Assisted Therapy (AAT) are both recognized concepts, and with progressed research the science of pet therapy increases. Purpose: To summate the most recent science in pet therapy (therapy dog) research with focus on physical, psychical, and social effects. Methods: Literature study/review with descriptive design, research on 21 articles published from year 2003 and onward. Articles used in the study were chosen through beforehand decided criteria, subject to quality rating, and summated in an overview. The main results were summated and presented in similarities and differences. Results: The main result of the summation was that important results could be measured in each of the three fields of research. Physical/physiological effects: pain relief, differentiated results on vital signs, and increased activity. Psychical/psychological effects: the dog as a distraction, increase in motivation, and decrease in anxiety, depression and loneliness. Social effects: increase in perceived quality of life, and increased social behavior. Conclusion: Many positive results have come from the use of therapy dog. More research is needed in each treatment area in order to reach knowledge of when in care therapy dogs can be used.