Disorders of communication, social relationships, and psychomotricity are often characterized by cognitive impairment, which hinders daily activities and increases the risk of falls. This study aimed to evaluate the efficacy of an animal-assisted therapy (AAT) program in an institutionalized geriatric population with cognitive impairment. The variables evaluated included level of communication and changes in gait and/or balance. We performed a two-arm, parallel controlled, open-label, nonrandomized cluster clinical trial in two nursing home centers from an urban area. Patients in the two centers received 12 weekly sessions of physiotherapy, but the experimental group included AAT with a therapy dog. The study included a total of 46 patients (23 Control Group [CG], 23 Experimental Group [EG]) with a median age of 85.0 years. Of these, 32.6% had mild–moderate cognitive decline (Global Deterioration Scale of Reisberg [GDS] 2–4) and 67.4% severe cognitive decline (GDS 5–6). After the intervention, patients in the CG and EG showed a statistically significant improvement in all the response variables. When comparing both groups, no statistically significant differences were found in any of the Tinetti scale results (measuring gait and balance). However, the communication of patients in the EG, measured on the Holden scale, showed a statistically significant greater improvement postintervention than that of patients in the CG. AAT can be useful as a complementary, effective treatment for patients with different degrees of cognitive decline.

Chronic joint pain is associated to an increase in the consumption of medication and decrease in life quality in elderly people, which requires developing non-pharmacological treatments. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effectivity of a group intervention, based on animal-assisted therapy and applied to elderly people with chronic joint pain and polymedication, regarding the decrease of chronic pain, use of analgesics and improvement of life quality. A randomized controlled trial, two arms and open-label was conducted in a Primary Health Center. Twelve weekly sessions of kinesitherapy; in the EG, these exercises were performed with the additional assistance of the therapy dog. A total of 52 participants (22 Control Group (CG), 30 EG), average age 77.50 (±7.3), women 90.4%. A significant reduction on post-intervention values of pain β = −0.67(−1.27, −0.08), p = 0.03 and pain induced insomnia β = −0.53(−1.01, −0.05), p = 0.03 was found in EG for increasing baseline values. Animal-assisted therapy leads to an additional reduction in the perception of pain and pain induced insomnia in individuals with higher baseline severity. The presence of the dog improves the attachment to intervention and the satisfaction of the participants.

Background: The human–animal bond is crucial for the proper development of animal-assisted therapy (AAT) sessions. However, in specific cases such as in AAT focused on psychiatric patients who are admitted to acute units, there is only a short period of time available to establish this bond. Objectives: To assess the degree of HAB generated after two AAT sessions in adolescents admitted to acute psychiatry units. Methods: A prospective multicenter cohort study aimed at adolescents aged 13 to 17 years admitted to the acute child and adolescent psychiatry unit of three hospitals. Intervention: Two weekly 1 h group sessions of AAT with therapy dogs. Main outcome: The Center for the Study of Animal Wellness Pet Bonding Scale Survey (CSAWPB). Results: One hundred and fourteen adolescents participated. A positive perception of the dog was generated, achieving a good level of bonding and attachment. Conclusions: The results obtained make it possible to affirm that a short period of time is enough to establish a good HAB between patients and therapy dogs. This study aims to contribute to the study of non-pharmacological interventions as a complement to pharmacological treatments in adolescents with mental health disorders.

The number of adolescents hospitalized with mental health problems, which are vulnerable and under a stressful situation, has increased in the last years. Non-pharmacological therapies, including Animal Assisted Therapy (AAT), have been proposed as complementary approaches to current psychiatric interventions and contribute to the comprehensive care of patient; however, current studies are inconclusive and further studies are recommended. This study aimed to evaluate the efficacy of AAT in improving self-efficacy and reducing anxiety symptoms among adolescents in acute psychiatric units, assess healthcare professionals’ perceptions, and determine participant satisfaction. A multicenter, non-randomized clinical trial was conducted in the Acute Child and Adolescent Psychiatry Unit from three Hospitals. The Control Group (CG) had 1 session 1 h per week, and the Experimental Group (EG) also had 1 session 1 h per week with the additional assistance of the therapy dog, during 2 weeks. We used the General Self-Efficacy Scale and State-Trait Anxiety Inventory Questionnaire (STAI) before and after the intervention, and collected the Participant’s satisfaction post intervention. A total of 178 participants were included in the study (64 CG and 114 EG). A significant improvement in self-efficacy was obtained in the EG compared to the CG. And a statistically significant improvement in anxiety (STAI-State) was observed in the EG, but the difference was not significant when comparing both groups. Participants reported a high level of satisfaction with the intervention. Our findings suggest that AAT may improve self-efficacy in adolescents with psychiatric conditions. However, no significant differences were observed between groups regarding anxiety levels. This study aims to provide innovation and research in a little studied area that may be useful as a complement to pharmacological treatment in the adolescent population. The clinical trial was retrospectively registered in the “Clinical Trials.gov”, registration number: NCT06414850 (05/16/2024). The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1186/s12906-026-05385-4.