The effect of animal-assisted therapy on nursing student anxiety: A randomized control study

Background and objective: Nursing student stress has a major impact on academic performance and testing anxiety is one prominent source. This study evaluated the influence of dogs in decreasing student anxiety at a nursing program prior to a medication dosage calculation exam. Method: This study uses a convenience sample randomly assigned to a control and intervention group with a prepre, pre, post and post-post-test using the Spielberger State-Trait Anxiety Inventory. The intervention group experienced a therapy dog intervention prior to the medication dosage calculation exam. Results: Using a repeated measures one-way MANOVA, there was a statistically significance difference between intervention and control groups Wilk's boolean AND = 0.761, F(8, 79) = 3.103, p < 0.01. Conclusion: A brief interaction with therapy dogs prior to a medication calculation exam decreased anxiety in a convenience sample of nursing students. This study adds empirical knowledge to the field of animal-assisted therapy and nursing student anxiety-coping methods.