Brodie Sarah J, Biley Francis C, Shewring Michael
University Hospital of Wales, Cardiff, UK.
J Clin Nurs. 2002 Jul;11(4):444-56. doi: 10.1046/j.1365-2702.2002.00628.x.
The widespread inclusion of companion animals into the homes and lives of humans has prompted a considerable amount of research into the health benefits of such relationships. Findings seem to confirm that if humans interact with companion animals they are likely to experience various health benefits. Programmes that encourage and facilitate pet visiting schemes in hospitals have developed and animals can often be found in in-patient and long-term care facilities, with the aim of contributing towards a positive therapeutic milieu. Despite supportive research evidence, the adoption of such a therapeutic activity may have been restricted by the belief that client safety could be compromised by an increase in the risk of infection acquired from animals, allergic responses and bites. This paper explores the literature on these risks and concludes that, in a controlled health care environment in urban Europe or North America and with responsible human behaviour the potential benefits of sharing our lives with companion animals, either at home or hospital, far outweigh the apparently insignificant risks. Recommendations aimed at limiting the potential risk of infection and guidelines for the safe management of pet therapy are developed.
宠物广泛融入人类家庭和生活，促使人们对这种关系带来的健康益处展开了大量研究。研究结果似乎证实，人类与宠物互动可能会获得各种健康益处。医院中鼓励并推动宠物探访计划的项目不断发展，住院病房和长期护理机构中常常能见到动物的身影，目的是营造积极的治疗环境。尽管有支持性的研究证据，但这种治疗活动的采用可能受到了限制，原因是人们认为动物带来的感染风险增加、过敏反应和咬伤可能会危及患者安全。本文探讨了有关这些风险的文献，并得出结论：在欧洲或北美的城市医疗保健环境中，只要人类行为得当，在家中或医院与宠物共享生活的潜在益处远远超过明显微不足道的风险。本文还制定了旨在降低潜在感染风险的建议以及宠物疗法安全管理指南。
