Contraindications to AFT
In some cases, the child may not be interested in dogs or might even be allergic to certain animals (Rossetti & King, 2010). Some children may have conditions that are agitated in the presence of certain animals, such as asthma or a pet-dander allergy (Morrison, 2007). Some children or families may actually be fearful of dogs or other animals. Therefore, individual assessment of the patient and possible contraindication to using an animal to facilitate therapy or treatment should be considered. Most facilities have policies not allowing AAT visits with patients who are colonized with methicillin-resistant Staphyloccocus aureus or Clostridium difficile (Marcus, 2012).
Pediatr Nurs. 2015;41(2):65-71. © 2015 Jannetti Publications, Inc.
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