Current Research Projects

We are currently conducting three new pilot studies that are randomized controlled trials examining the impact of a therapy dog intervention on loneliness, depression, anxiety and related health outcomes in three vulnerable hospitalized populations:

Older Adults

Project Title: “A Pilot Study to Examine the Impact of a Therapy Dog Intervention on Loneliness and Related Outcomes in Patients with Mental Illness”

Study Sponsors: Waltham Petcare Science Institute and Mars Petcare

Adults with Mental Illness

Project Title: “A Pilot Study to Examine the Impact of a Therapy Dog Intervention on Loneliness and Related Outcomes in Patients with Mental Illness”

Study Sponsor: The Human-Animal Bond Research Institute (HABRI)

Children

Project Title: “A Pilot Study to Examine the Impact of a Therapy Dog Intervention on Loneliness and Related Outcomes in Patients with Mental Illness”

Study Sponsor: Nestle Purina