Humor And Behavior in Psychiatric Hospitalization: What do Family Members Say About Canine-assisted Therapy?
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.36489/saudecoletiva.2026v17i104p18906-18917Keywords:
Family, Psychiatric hospital unit, Mental health, Animal-assisted therapy, Humanization of careAbstract
Objective: To understand the perception of family members regarding Canine-Assisted Therapy in the care of people
hospitalized in a Mental Health Unit. Methods: A descriptive and exploratory study was conducted between April and
November 2024 with family members of patients hospitalized in a Mental Health Unit of a university hospital located in the central region of the state of Rio Grande do Sul. Data collection was carried out through semi-structured interviews. The data were analyzed using Thematic Content Analysis, with the support of MAXQDA 24 software for organization, categorization, and the creation of a word cloud. Results: Family members perceive that Canine-Assisted Therapy provides emotional and therapeutic effects to patients, in addition to promoting positive changes in mood, behavior, and relationships. Conclusion: Canine-Assisted Therapy is configured as an alternative and humanized care strategy in mental health that contributes to the psychosocial rehabilitation of patients in acute crisis of psychic suffering.
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