Therapy dogs may ease Kids' fear of needles and dentists
NCT ID NCT06468111
First seen Jun 26, 2026 · Last updated Jun 26, 2026
Summary
This study tests whether having a therapy dog present can reduce emotional stress in children aged 3 to 12 during blood draws or dental procedures. Half of the 120 children will have a dog with them, while the other half will receive standard care. Researchers will measure stress using behavioral observations and anxiety questionnaires.
What this could mean
Our plain-language read of the trial. This is informational only, not medical advice or a prediction.
- Active substance
- Dog-assisted therapy (Animal Assisted Therapy)
- What this could lead to
- If it works, this could give doctors a simple, drug-free way to help children feel calmer during medical procedures.
- What could go wrong
- This is a small, early-stage study. The effect may be small or not work for all children. Some kids may be afraid of dogs, which could increase stress.
This is an AI summary of the original study and may miss details. Read our disclaimer.
Study facts
What this study's own registry entry says, in plain language.
- Phase
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Not a phased trial
Phase numbers describe drug development. The registry uses this when they do not apply, as it does for trials of devices, procedures or behaviour changes, and for observational studies.
- Participants
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About 120 people
The number the study aims to enrol. It can still change while the study runs.
- Started
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Jan 2022
- Expected to finish
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Dec 2025
An estimate. End dates often move.
- Lead sponsor
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Other sponsor
The registry's catch-all category, for sponsors it does not file as a company, a government agency, or a research network.
Who can take part
This study's own entry requirements. Only the study team can say for certain whether you qualify.
- Ages
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3 to 12 years
- Sex
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Anyone
- Healthy volunteers
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Not accepted
This study is not open to healthy volunteers. The entry requirements below say who it is open to.
Show the full entry requirements Hide the full entry requirements
Copied word for word from the study's registry entry, so the wording is the study team's rather than ours.
Inclusion Criteria: * Age between 3 and 12 years old. * Need a blood or dental extraction. * Willing to participate in the study on a voluntary basis. * Delivery of the information sheet and signature the informed consent. Exclusion Criteria: * If in the initial interview they declared having allergy or fear of dogs. * Have aggression disorder towards dogs. * Not want to participate in the study.
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Conditions
The condition(s) this trial relates to.
As listed by the trial registrant
The condition terms exactly as the trial's registrant entered them.
How to take part
Only the study team decides who joins. These are the ways to reach them.
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The places running it
1 site. The list below names each one and where it is.
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The official record
ClinicalTrials.gov lists the study team's own contact details, including names and phone numbers. We don't republish those.
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A doctor treating you
A doctor who knows your case can contact a study site on your behalf, and can tell you whether this study is worth pursuing at all.
Contacts and locations
Locations
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Centre d'Atenció Primària Primer de Maig
RECRUITINGLleida, 25000, Spain
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