Animal-Assisted Visitation Program Chlorhexidine Trial

Launched by JOHNS HOPKINS BLOOMBERG SCHOOL OF PUBLIC HEALTH · Nov 20, 2019

Keywords

ClinConnect Summary

The Animal-Assisted Visitation Program Chlorhexidine Trial is studying how to make visits from therapy dogs in hospitals safer for children. The goal is to find out if using a special cleaning product called chlorhexidine on the dogs can help prevent the spread of harmful germs that can make kids sick, especially during visits. The study will first look at what factors might increase the risk of children getting these germs during visits without any cleaning. Then, it will test whether the chlorhexidine cleaning method helps reduce the number of germs children might pick up. Finally, researchers want to see if the benefits of spending time with therapy dogs, like lower blood pressure and anxiety, are affected by this cleaning process.

To be part of this trial, children aged 3 to 17 who have received the okay from their doctor can participate, as long as they don’t have any allergies to dogs or the chlorhexidine product. Participants will have the chance to join sessions with therapy dogs in the hospital and help researchers learn more about how to keep these programs safe and effective. This study is currently looking for volunteers, and all children, regardless of gender, are welcome to join if they meet the eligibility criteria.

Gender

ALL

Eligibility criteria

• Inclusion Criteria:
• • Children between the ages of 3 and 17 years
• • Cleared by physician to participate in a hospital-based animal-assisted visitation program session with any enrolled dog
• Exclusion Criteria:
• • Children who report sensitivity to chlorhexidine products
• • Children who report allergy to dogs or sensitivity to dog allergen