Washing therapy dogs may keep hospital germs away from kids

NCT ID NCT04171817

Completed Disease control Sponsor: Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health Source: ClinicalTrials.gov ↗

First seen Jun 26, 2026 · Last updated Jun 27, 2026 · Updated 1 time

Summary

This study tested whether cleaning therapy dogs with a special disinfectant (chlorhexidine) before hospital visits could reduce the spread of harmful germs to children. The trial involved 45 children aged 3 to 17 who interacted with therapy dogs. Researchers checked if the cleaning routine lowered the chance of kids picking up bacteria like MRSA from the dogs.

What this could mean

Our plain-language read of the trial. This is informational only — not medical advice or a prediction.

Active substance: chlorhexidine
What this could lead to: If it works, this could help keep therapy dog visits safe for children in hospitals by reducing the spread of germs.
What could go wrong: This is a small, completed study with only 45 participants, so results may not apply to all hospitals or patients. The cleaning routine might not fully prevent germ spread.

This is an AI summary of the original study and may miss details. Read our disclaimer.

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Conditions

The condition(s) this trial relates to.

Clostridium difficile colitis methicillin-resistant staphylococcus aureus infectious disease Pseudomonas aeruginosa infectious disease Pseudomonas infection

As listed by the trial registrant

The condition terms exactly as the trial's registrant entered them.

CLOSTRIDIUM DIFFICILE METHICILLIN RESISTANT STAPHYLOCOCCUS AUREUS PSEUDOMONAS AERUGINOSA

Contacts and locations

Locations

Children's Hospital of Philadelphia

Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, 19104, United States
Johns Hopkins

Baltimore, Maryland, 21205, United States
Washington University in St. Louis

St Louis, Missouri, 63110, United States

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