New research examines the role of dogs in health care, social care and school

The project, which runs for 2.5 years and is part of the collaboration between Mid Sweden University and Västernorrland, follows three groups of participants where dogs are used as support in various activities. In Härnösand, the focus is on older people in home care, while Örnsköldsvik invests in young people in school and people with various kinds of disabilities. The third group is young adults who are recruited from a private short-term accommodation in Stöde. The aim is to investigate what importance the dog can have for health and well-being in the different groupings.

"We know that animals have been used for a long time internationally in various healthcare activities, such as psychiatry, and research has also been conducted in the area. Today, many municipalities use dogs as a resource in various activities, but dogs as a resource are sparsely researched in municipal activities in Sweden," says Malin Holmström Rising, professor of nursing at Mid Sweden University.

Hope to provide a deeper understanding of the interaction between dog and human

In the project, Malin hopes to be able to see, among other things, how contact with dogs affects activity, sleep and mental well-being. The hope is that the research will contribute to a more structured use of service dogs in health and social care and form the basis for a larger project.

"Dogs don't judge, they don't make any demands. They can provide security and motivation, especially for people who are isolated or have difficulty finding drive and motivation," says Malin Holmström Rising.

The goal is to provide a deeper understanding of the interaction between humans and dogs and generate new knowledge about how dogs can be used as a resource to promote health and well-being in municipal activities.

The dog team in Örnsköldsvik – a municipal resource for increased well-being

In Örnsköldsvik, the dog team acts as a resource throughout the municipality. The team, which consists of dog handlers Zonita Ödling and Helena Hellsten together with four certified care and school dogs as well as two care dog students, steps in where extra support is needed – in functional support, school and elderly care.

The work is varied, it can be about helping a student with reading practice, supporting someone to dare to get to daily activities or breaking social isolation in an older person. The dogs play a central role in the meeting – they offer presence, security and unconditional contact.

"We see that the dogs strengthen the self-esteem of the participants, which in turn can lead to them daring to take new steps in life," says Zonita Ödling.

The dog team is very positive about the research project together with Mid Sweden University.

"It's fantastic that this is being invested. We hope that the research shows how valuable the dog can be as a resource in municipal activities," says Zonita.

A research group is attached to the project consisting of representatives from the municipalities of Härnösand and Örnsköldsvik, Hemgården short-term accommodation and the Department of Health Sciences, Nursing, Mid Sweden University.

More about the research project

About the project in Örnsköldsvik municipality

The dog team in Örnsköldsvik: Dog leaders Helena Hellsten and Zonita Ödling together with the dogs Penny, Vilja, Bumblebee, Azzi, Gerda and Harry.