A Qualitative Inquiry to Understand the Impact of a Facility Dog on Hospital Workers’ Perceived Organizational Support

TL;DR

This study explores how a facility dog impacts hospital workers' feelings of organizational support, finding it offers unique, positive but short-term benefits.

Contribution

The study introduces the use of a facility dog as an innovative organizational support strategy in hospitals.

Findings

The facility dog provides unique and innovative support distinct from existing options.

The dog's presence led to positive organizational changes and a sense of pride among staff.

Non-clinical employees perceived more benefits, but effects were short-term and role-dependent.

Abstract

Health systems are under pressure due to staffing shortages and retention challenges, exacerbated by COVID-19. Its negative impact on hospital staff’s well-being, coupled with limited support, highlights the need for more innovative organizational solutions to improve retention. Recognizing this, an Ontario hospital became the first in Canada to employ a full-time facility dog to support hospital staff in distress. This qualitative study aimed to explore the experiences of hospital staff with a facility dog and its impact on the staff’s perceived organizational support. One-on-one, semi-structured interviews were conducted with clinical, non-clinical and volunteer staff at the hospital. Data were audio-recorded, transcribed, de-identified, and then thematically analyzed. The sample comprised 27 participants, including 13 clinical and 12 non-clinical employees, and 2 volunteers, with the majority identifying as women (77.78%). The results revealed the following themes: (1) the facility dog offers a unique type of support that is distinct and innovative from currently available support; (2) the facility dog’s presence has made positive organizational changes; (3) the facility dog provides a short-term relief that may be limited to some staff roles; (4) a sense of pride in being leaders by introducing such program to a Canadian hospital; (5) the need for organizational improvements beyond the facility dog. Participants perceived the facility dog as having a positive, although short-term, impact, particularly among non-clinical employees. The results suggest that while the dog can improve perceived organizational support, additional long-term initiatives are needed to maintain these perceptions and support over time.

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