SCCMPod-560 CCE: Therapy Dogs Ease ICU Anxiety

In this episode of the Society of Critical Care Medicine (SCCM) Podcast, host Kyle B. Enfield, MD, FCCM, speaks with Sumeet Rai, PhD, FCICM, senior intensivist at Canberra Hospital, about his study, “Pawsitive Care: Canine-Assisted Intervention for Anxiety in ICU Patients and Family Members: A Single-Center, Single-Arm Study,” published in the May 2025 compendium of Critical Care Explorations. Dr. Rai explains how positive anecdotal experiences of animal therapy in the ICU inspired his team to conduct this study. Guided by infection control protocols, they implemented a program allowing accredited therapy dogs to visit patients and families for 15- to 20-minute sessions. More than 60% of patients and more than 90% of family members had a clinically meaningful reduction in anxiety scores, and patients reported decreased pain. No adverse events were observed, demonstrating the feasibility and safety of this approach. Dr. Rai addresses the study’s limitations, such as the impracticality of conducting a randomized trial, and highlights the need for research into staff well-being, which appeared to benefit from therapy dog visits. He also underscores the importance of a safety program, including infection control precautions. This episode offers practical insights for implementing animal therapy programs in the ICU and invites listeners to consider new approaches to improving mental health and well-being for patients, families, and staff. Resources referenced in this episode:  Pawsitive Care: Canine-Assisted Intervention for Anxiety in ICU Patients and Family Members: A Single-Center, Single-Arm Study (Cook K, et al. Crit Care Explor. 2025;7:e1258).