Problem Statement/Hypothesis: Research has supported the benefits of animal assisted therapy (AAT) in a variety of populations.  The documented benefits of AAT include reducing loneliness, improving communication, fostering trust, reducing the need for medication, improving cognitive functioning, enhancing the quality of life, improving physical functioning, decreasing stress and anxiety, improving vital signs, and motivating patients. 
Literature Review: The literature suggests the high risk antepartum population is at increased risk to experience boredom and anxiety.  However, there is a gap in the literature addressing the use of AAT in this population. The purpose of this pilot study was to explore the effects of AAT on boredom and anxiety in pregnant women in the hospital who are at high risk for preterm delivery.
Sample: The sample for the study was a convenience sample of 43 women with high-risk pregnancies who were admitted for prescribed bedrest on a high risk antenatal nursing unit.
Methodology: The study design was an equivalent groups pretest-posttest design. Subjects were randomly assigned to one of two treatment groups (AAT or usual care [no AAT]). The AAT group received a 30 minute animal visit. The independent variable was the treatment  (AAT or usual care) and the dependent variables were boredom and anxiety.  The following data collection tools were utilized: Boredom Proneness Scale, State Trait Anxiety Inventory, Pre/Post Boredom Visual Analog Scale, and Demographic Information Sheet.
Data Analysis & Interpretation: Repeated measures models testing for main effects revealed a significant group by time interaction [F (1, 39) =16.80, p = .0002] for boredom response. Boredom Visual Analogue values decreased by 8.89 for the control group from 70.37 pre to 61.47 post (p=.10), compared to a 38.45 decrease from 61.00 (pre) to 22.55 (post) for the AAT group (p < .0001).
A significant group by time interaction for state anxiety response scores [F (1, 39) = 14.72, p = .0004] was also found.  In the AAT group, there was a significant (p <.0001) decrease in pre to post state anxiety scores. A smaller, yet significant decrease (p= .0132) in scores in the non-AAT group was found as well.  Pre state anxiety scores were 58.58 and post state anxiety scores were 54.32 for the control group compared to 58.05 (pre) and 45.18 (post) for the AAT group.
Adjustments for baseline trait anxiety, baseline boredom score and time in hospital did not lead to any changes in the results for boredom. Likewise, adjustments for the baseline trait anxiety, baseline boredom score and time in hospital did not lead to significant changes in state anxiety.
Implications for Nursing Practice: Prescribed bed rest can increase the risk of anxiety and boredom in hospitalized antepartum women at high risk for preterm labor. Nurses must anticipate adverse effects on both the pregnant woman and the fetus and plan nursing care accordingly. The literature indicates that visits by family/friends, television, and roommates can help reduce anxiety and boredom. Results of this study support the use of AAT as another way to affect emotional outcomes in this population.