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A Commentary about Lessons Learned: Transitioning a Therapy Dog Program Online during the COVID-19 Pandemic.

ABSTRACT: In 2015, the University of Saskatchewan PAWS Your Stress Therapy Dog program partnered with St. John Ambulance for therapy dog teams to visit our campus and offer attendees love, comfort and support. We recognized at the start of the COVID-19 pandemic that students, staff and faculty may require mental health support, particularly with the challenges of isolation and loneliness. In response, our team transitioned from an in-person to a novel online format at the start of the COVID-19 pandemic. We designed online content for participants to (1) connect with therapy dogs and experience feelings of love, comfort and support as occurred in in-person programming, and (2) learn about pandemic-specific, evidence-informed mental health knowledge. Our unique approach highlighted what dogs can teach humans about health through their own care and daily activities. From April to June 2020, we developed a website, created 28 Facebook livestreams and 60 pre-recorded videos which featured therapy dogs and handlers, and cross-promoted on various social media platforms. Over three months, first a combined process-outcome evaluation helped us determine whether our activities contributed to the program's goals. A subsequent needs assessment allowed us to elicit participant preferences for the program moving forward. This commentary reflects on these findings and our teams' collective experiences to share our key lessons learned related to program personnel needs, therapy dog handler training and support requirements, and online programming prerequisites. This combined understanding is informing our current activities with the virtual program and should be of interest to other therapy dog programs transitioning online.

SUBMITTER: Dell C

PROVIDER: S-EPMC8004773 | biostudies-literature |

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature

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Project description:Objective Evaluate the process and outcomes associated with pivoting Cooking Matters curriculum to online nutrition education during the COVID-19 pandemic. Use of Theory or Research Cooking Matters uses evidence-based curricula built upon the Social Cognitive Theory, with a focus on increasing self-efficacy through participatory food skills education to enable positive behavior change. Target Audience Low-income adults, parents and caregivers, and families receiving services or programming from schools and community-based organizations across the United States from June 2020 until June 2021. Program Description Cooking Matters curriculum was pivoted to an online nutrition education setting at the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic to teach participants how to shop for and prepare healthy meals on a limited budget. Evaluation Methods With support from IMPAQ International, LLC (a third-party evaluator), Cooking Matters online delivered programming was evaluated through 9,187 participant surveys completed post-participation and through virtual/Zoom in-depth interviews with 24 individuals from 13 partner organizations implementing the curricula. Results Participants reported high confidence to apply food skills such as making mealtimes positive and high intention to use food skills in the future such as money-saving tips. Over 90% of participants were satisfied with the instructor and class environment. Partners described that online programming accommodated more participants due to lack of physical space limitations, was convenient for participants because it decreased travel time, allowed for food preparation in participants' kitchens, was more burdensome for staff, decreased curriculum engagement at times, and did not foster the same communal ties as in-person. Conclusions Online delivery allowed Cooking Matters to continue offering programming during the pandemic. To ensure responsiveness to participant and partner needs, we centered the voice of our end users, developed nutrition education reflective of these unique needs and desires, and released our new online approach focusing on digital delivery. Based on this evaluation, Cooking Matters will continue supporting partners in delivering virtual programming as an additional means of reaching busy parents and caregivers. Funding None

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A Commentary about Lessons Learned: Transitioning a Therapy Dog Program Online during the COVID-19 Pandemic.

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