NAPNAP Conference Poster Presentation
Author: Madelyn Talbert | Major: Nursing | Semester: Spring 2023
From September of 2021 through May of 2023, I performed research in the nursing department under the supervision of Dr. Michele Kilmer. The overall goal of this research project was to identify canine stress, avoidance, and affiliative behaviors during animal-assisted therapy sessions (AAT) and examine both short- and long-term effects of AAT on prosocial behaviors in children at risk for autism spectrum disorder.
My specific focus during this project was to identify short-term effects of AAT on prosocial behaviors in children at risk for autism spectrum disorder and developmental delays. Reports of other studies along with the evidence found during our research suggests that the use of AAT in these populations may reduce symptom severity and enhance both motor and communication skills. While there are reports of beneficence to this community through equine therapy, canine therapy in this field is still in its infancy. Alongside Emily Meade, Brooke Weaver, Dr. Lauren Quetsch, and Dr. Michele Kilmer, by creating a quantitative study including rigorous methodologies, this project works to promote best practice within the study of AAT for autism spectrum disorder and developmental delays.
When entering my junior year of college, I knew I had a strong passion for helping those within the pediatric community. I had the opportunity of hearing from Dr. Kilmer during an information session, and immediately fell in love with her vision for this project. I believed in this project from the beginning and knew immediately I wanted to be a part of it. During my time working under Dr. Kilmer, I have learned how to prepare advanced, professional research with lasting implications. Not only did I have the opportunity to support and serve the pediatric population in NWA, but also learned to train a canine to complete a task that had not been done before.
This project has allowed me to grow in my confidence in research and taught me that I have a passion for this community that I hope to bring into my future practice as a pediatric nurse. While we faced challenges with teaching Griffyn, our canine, certain commands, after research and the assistance of local dog trainers, we were able to calm his excitability and find better ways to channel his nature. During the entirety of this project, Dr. Kilmer assisted us with training, methodologies, data analytics, and more. It was Dr. Kilmer who led participant evaluations, and directly introduced the canine into the environment for each meeting. In March of 2023, my research team and I had the opportunity to present our research at the National Association for Pediatric Nurse Practitioners annual conference in Orlando, Florida. Here, we had the opportunity to network with leaders in the field while sharing the implications of our project with healthcare providers nationwide.
Following the end of this project and my graduation in May of 2023, I will be starting a career in pediatric neurosurgery as a bachelor-prepared registered nurse at Children’s Medical Center in Dallas, Texas. I am more than excited to start this job, and look forward to the opportunities that lie ahead.