Could being reunited with one’s dog help patients better cope with an intensive care stay? This is the question that Clermont-Ferrand University Hospital aims to explore with PET ICU, a groundbreaking clinical study in France, launched across three of the hospital’s critical care units.
In these units where anxiety, isolation and disorientation are part of daily life, the research team is exploring the potential role of the emotional bond between patients and their pets. The goal: to determine whether these visits — still extremely rare today — can be organized safely and beneficially.
To make this possible, the hospital has implemented a tightly regulated protocol. Each dog must meet strict health and behavioral requirements, and visits — limited to 15 minutes — take place under the supervision of a volunteer healthcare professional, following a dedicated access route and reinforced hygiene measures before and after each session.
Coordinated by Prof. Matthieu Jabaudon, PET ICU brings together a network of experts: a veterinarian from VetAgro Sup, a canine behavior specialist, hospital hygiene teams and caregivers from the three participating intensive care units. This multidisciplinary approach is essential to ensure the safety of patients, animals and professionals alike.
The study will be considered feasible if at least eight participating dogs are able to enter patient rooms while fully complying with the protocol. Should the results prove encouraging, they could pave the way for further research into the impact of these visits on pain, anxiety, morale and the overall experience of an ICU stay.
With this pioneering project, Clermont-Ferrand University Hospital aligns with an international movement to rethink the humanization of critical care and restore the importance of emotional connection — even in the most technical medical environments.
