Animal-assisted services in Australia and New Zealand intensive care units: A cross-sectional survey

This study provides preliminary evidence of the prevalence and characteristics of animal-assisted services in Australian and New Zealand ICUs. Variation in the characteristics of animal-assisted services demonstrates a need for identification of best practices pertaining to animal-assisted services in the ICU and the development of guidelines to support the implementation of these services. Future interventional studies are required to provide further evidence of the feasibility and effectiveness of animal-assisted services, both as meet-and-greet-style support programs and treatment interventions in ICUs.