Objectives:~Examine the feasibility of animal-assisted interactions sessions for children with a life-threatening condition and primary caregiver to:~Identify and document modifications for a safe and feasible intervention,~Obtain recruitment estimates and determine potential recruitment barriers~Evaluate elements of implementation fidelity (design, training, delivery/receipt of Treatment, enactment)~Verify safety.~H1-1: Children and parents (>60%) will complete the interventions and provide positive acceptability data. H1-2: Implementation fidelity can be achieved with the proposed methodology~Determine the preliminary efficacy of animal-assisted interactions sessions for:~Children with a life-threatening condition (LTC) for the outcome of health-related quality of life~Children with a LTC and their primary caregivers for the outcomes of stress and anxiety~H2-1 Children with a life-threatening condition who receive animal-assisted interactions will experience improved health-related quality of life (HRQOL) more than patients who do not receive animal-assisted interactions.~H2-2a Children with life-threatening condition who receive animal-assisted interactions will experience decreased stress and anxiety more than parents of children who do not receive animal-assisted interactions.~H2-2b Primary caregivers of children with a life-threatening condition who receive animal-assisted interactions will experience decreased stress and anxiety more than parents of children who do not receive animal-assisted interactions.
This study will evaluate the effects of animal-assisted interactions (AAI) on stress, anxiety, and quality of life in children with a life-threatening condition and their parents. It is anticipated to be a milestone in understanding the human-animal bond.