LAUSR

Abstract AIM This study examined the impact of a therapy dog intervention on baccalaureate nursing student test anxiety. BACKGROUND Nursing student test anxiety may hinder academic performance and program outcomes. Considering this negative impact, it is essential to implement anxiety-reducing strategies. Interaction with therapy dogs is linked with test anxiety reduction; however, minimal studies have explored this topic. METHOD A pretest/posttest quasi-experimental design was used to examine the impact of a therapy dog intervention on test anxiety. Repeated measures included the State-Trait Anxiety Inventory, heart rate, and cortisol levels. The multisite convenience sample included 91 junior-level prelicensure BSN students. RESULTS The intervention had a statistically significant impact on test anxiety reduction, noted by a decrease in State-Trait Anxiety Inventory scores, heart rate, and salivary cortisol levels (p = .00). CONCLUSION Therapy dog interactions are an effective strategy to reduce test anxiety. The findings from this study may assist educators to implement future interventions.