Percepção de médicos veterinários sobre a presença de cães em hospitais: cuidados, riscos e benefícios.

Abstract

Animal-Assisted Interventions (AAI) emerge as practices in which domestic animals act as mediators in activities that seek to promote physical and emotional benefits to the people involved. These activities have been gaining space in several environments. Among them is the hospital environment, in which AAI fit as a complementary method that aids patients' recovery. Therefore, the objective of this study was to know the perception of veterinarians about the benefits and risks of the presence of dogs in hospitals, the possible care to avoid these risks and the characteristics of the animal for this practice. This is a qualitative study in which six veterinarians participated. The collection was done through a questionnaire with questions about AAI in hospitals, carried out online between April and May 2020, addressing the welfare of the animal, the patient, and other people involved, as well as the identification of possible risks. They emphasized the importance of professional monitoring, highlighted the physical and emotional benefits that this practice can provide, and pointed out possible precautions for the activities to occur without risks to those involved. Although these are valid considerations, it was concluded that veterinarians still commonly lack a more complete training regarding AAI.