Date of Award
8-31-2026
Document Type
Campus Access Dissertation
Degree Name
Doctor of Philosophy (PhD)
Department
Gerontology
First Advisor
Pamela Nadash
Second Advisor
Elizabeth Dugan
Third Advisor
Nancy Edwards
Abstract
Human-animal interactions (HAI) can transform nursing homes into more home-like and person-centered environments while improving residents’ quality of life and well-being. Despite growing literature on HAI, little is known about its prevalence or what policies and practices nursing homes use to govern interactions between older adults and animals. Guided by Diffusion of Innovations theory, this study explored organizational perspectives, nursing home policies and procedures, HAI prevalence, facility characteristics associated with HAI practices, and staff perceptions of animal use. A mixed-methods approach was utilized. Phase I (2021–2022) involved qualitative key informant interviews (n = 6) with staff from national and state-level organizations, including nursing home associations and animal-assisted intervention organizations. Findings informed a web-based and paper survey on HAI for Phase II, distributed in 2023–2024 to all New York nursing homes (N = 565). Responding nursing homes (n = 162; 28.7% response rate) had a slightly higher percentage of private-pay residents than the statewide average (28.3% vs. 25.3%, p = .042), with no other significant differences. Phase III analyzed survey data and mostly secondary government data on nursing home characteristics using descriptive and inferential statistics. Phase IV (2025) included in-depth qualitative interviews (n = 9) with staff at selected facilities. This study found that HAI adoption is widespread. Key informant interviews highlighted broad support for HAI, organizational policies and practices that support it, and facilitators and barriers to HAI implementation. Survey results showed that 91% of responding facilities offered at least one type of HAI. Although policies and procedures among facilities offering HAI varied, 80% of staff were aware of state regulations on animals and 94% of nursing homes had policies and procedures for HAI. Facility size, payer mix, and market concentration were significantly associated with HAI adoption. Nursing homes that were smaller, had greater financial resources, or operated in more concentrated (i.e., less competitive) markets were more likely to offer HAI. Interviews with nursing home staff revealed numerous benefits for residents and staff, policies governing HAI implementation, pet-friendly practices, and factors facilitating or hindering HAI. These findings suggest that HAI have become standard in nursing homes and are supported by existing regulations, policies, and procedures. Findings also underscore opportunities and challenges for implementation. These insights can guide policy, inform best practices, and support the integration of HAI to enhance the well-being of residents, staff, and the overall nursing home environment.
Recommended Citation
Pitheckoff, Natalie, "Human-Animal Interactions in Nursing Homes: Exploring Prevalence, Policies, Practices, and Perceptions" (2026). Graduate Doctoral Dissertations. 1192.
https://scholarworks.umb.edu/doctoral_dissertations/1192
Comments
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