A ray of joy and excitement has been introduced to the Bustamante Hospital for Children (BHC) through the Animal Assisted Recovery Care (AARC) Pilot Project, as therapy animals, including the beloved therapy dog Dr Teddy Barks, are making a positive impact on the young patients’ well-being.

Launched in March 2023 as part of the hospital’s 60th-anniversary celebrations, the AARC Pilot Project is a multidisciplinary collaboration featuring a variety of animals, including a therapy dog, snake, birds, rabbits, and kittens.

These animals, provided by the Jamaica Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (JSPCA), Hope Zoo, and Montego Bay Animal Haven, play a crucial role in fostering a human-animal bond to aid in the recovery and well-being of the young patients.

Programme coordinator Dr Marsha James, expressed her satisfaction with the project, which is now at the six-month mark of its 18-month pilot. Dr James highlighted the positive feedback received from patients, parents, and staff, emphasising the noticeable improvement in the children’s interactions with the animals over time.

According to James, the therapy sessions include monthly interactions and educational sessions with pre-selected patients, with an average of eight participants per session. The project’s target group is children aged four to 12 who can follow instructions, although younger children and their parents are also encouraged to participate.

The ENT specialist explained that the therapy aims to relieve anxiety, improve cardiovascular outcomes, and enhance mental health. The older patients actively engage with the animals, holding them, giving treats, and even taking the therapy dog for walks. The survey revealed that the therapy dog, Dr Teddy Barks, is the overwhelming favourite among the children, closely followed by the snake.

“Animal-assisted recovery is a therapy that is recommended for adults and children. However, most programmes target children, who are generally more receptive,” James said. She emphasised that the programme has been particularly beneficial for patients with mental health disorders.

The Bustamante Hospital, chosen for its space and opportunity to gauge children’s receptiveness, aims to expand the project to other healthcare facilities in the future. Strict inclusion criteria, including consent from parents and assent from patients, are in place to ensure a positive and safe experience for both the children and the animals.

The AARC Pilot Project, conceptualised by Minister of Health and Wellness, Dr Christopher Tufton, is funded by the National Health Fund (NHF) and operates under the South East Regional Health Authority’s projects portfolio.

The ground-breaking initiative has a research component, gathering data on the intervention’s impact on the healthcare system, with future adjustments or expansions based on the findings. Tufton emphasised the global recognition of animal-assisted interventions, adopting a ‘One Health Approach’ to healthcare delivery.

The project continues to bring smiles and healing to ailing children, creating a unique and positive atmosphere within the Bustamante Hospital for Children. As the project approaches its evaluation phase, the hope is that it will serve as a model for similar initiatives, promoting holistic well-being in healthcare settings across Jamaica.