A new initiative launching in late March will bring specially trained hospital dogs to Gävle and Hudiksvall hospitals in Sweden every other week, offering comfort and support to young patients. The program aims to ease anxiety and fear experienced by children facing medical examinations and treatments, a growing area of focus in pediatric care.
The hospital dog will work alongside its handler to provide a calming presence for children, particularly during potentially uncomfortable procedures like blood draws or examinations requiring stillness. “A dog can give a child comfort, security, and motivation to cope with difficult treatments,” explains Hanna Hedenström, head of nursing within pediatric care. “Many children find healthcare unpleasant, and a dog can help them feel safer.”
Region Councilor Jennie Forsblom views the program as a significant step forward in the development of children’s healthcare. “For many children, a hospital visit can be both frightening and stressful,” she says. “A hospital dog can make a big difference by creating a sense of security and calm in a difficult situation. This is a great example of how we can develop care with simple measures that really make a difference for patients.”
May Reduce Demand for Medication
During procedures like blood draws, children will be able to have the dog by their side. Petting or talking to the dog can help distract them and provide a sense of normalcy. The ultimate goal is to enable more children to undergo examinations without the need for sedation.
“If the child feels safer, we can sometimes reduce the need for sedatives,” says Hedenström. “This makes things easier for the child and can reduce the length of their hospital stay.”
Building on Uppsala Experience
Each hospital dog will interact with a total of four patients during each visit, in a designated room on the ward, and can visit patients in their rooms if needed. The dogs undergo specific hygiene protocols and are restricted to certain areas of the hospital. The breed being utilized is the labradoodle, chosen for its low allergen levels.
The initiative builds on years of experience at Akademiska Children’s Hospital in Uppsala, where hospital dogs have been used for several years. The method was developed by pediatrician and researcher Ann Edner, and is based on research into how dogs can be used to support children’s healthcare.
Hospital Dog in Pediatric Care
Research from Akademiska Children’s Hospital in Uppsala shows that encounters with a hospital dog can reduce stress and increase well-being in hospitalized children. In a study of 60 children, 93 percent of the children reported feeling better after interacting with the dog.
Studies have also examined the risk of allergies and the spread of infection, finding that certified hospital dogs can be used safely in a healthcare setting when specific hygiene routines are followed. Region Gävleborg also has its own hygiene guideline for this practice.
A hospital dog should not be confused with a care dog, which is used, for example, in elderly care.
Source: Sjukhushund.se
