Impact of Human-Animal Interactions on Children With Life-Threatening Conditions and Their Parents

Objectives:

• To examine the feasibility of human-animal interaction (HAI) sessions for children with a life threatening cancer and a primary caregiver, specifically to:

• To identify and document necessary modifications for a safe and feasible intervention
• To obtain recruitment estimates and determine potential recruitment barriers
• To evaluate elements of implementation fidelity (design, training, delivery/receipt of treatment, enactment)
• To verify safety
• To determine the preliminary efficacy of human-animal interaction sessions:

• On children with a life threatening cancer for the outcomes of qualify of life, anxiety, depression, worry, and pain
• On caregivers of children with a life threatening cancer for the outcomes of stress and anxiety

Exploratory Objective:

• To explore mechanisms (reduced salivary cortisol and urinary norepinephrine levels) associated with 8 weeks of human-animal interaction.

Inclusion criteria

Child:

• Children age 6-17 years old that have been diagnosed with advanced cancer as defined by any stage of relapsed, recurrent or refractory cancer
• Able to understand English or Spanish to complete consents and surveys

Parent or Guardian:

• Parent or guardian as determined by person who brings child to >50% of their clinic visits
• Able to understand English or Spanish to complete consents and surveys

Exclusion criteria

for both Children and Parent/Guardian:

• Self-reported fear of or allergies to canines
• Cognitive impairment as identified by healthcare team or inability to complete consenting process