Led by principal investigator Joanna D’Elia, nursing quality specialist at Sarasota Memorial Hospital, the study is among the first to test robotic pets as a non-pharmacological strategy to support dementia care in the hospital setting.

By Daniel Casciato

An innovative clinical trial at Sarasota Memorial Hospital is offering new insight into how small, compassionate interventions can lead to meaningful clinical improvements for hospitalized older adults living with dementia.

Led by Joanna D’Elia, MSN, RN, GERO-BC, CPHQ, nursing quality specialist at Sarasota Memorial Hospital, the year-long randomized study examines whether robotic companion pets can enhance outcomes for patients with mild to moderate dementia in the acute-care setting.

Overseen by the hospital’s Kolschowsky Research and Education Institute and funded by Sarasota Memorial Healthcare Foundation board member Deb Kabinoff, the study is among the first of its kind conducted in a U.S. community hospital.

Addressing Vulnerability in Hospitalized Dementia Patients

For D’Elia, the idea grows from years of experience working with geriatric patients.

“When I first started the study, I was serving as Sarasota Memorial’s Geriatric Program Coordinator,” D’Elia says. “I recognized that patients with dementia are particularly vulnerable during hospitalization and are admitted more frequently than those without dementia. I wanted to find an innovative way to engage both patients and nursing staff, creating uplifting experiences while offering meaningful support.”

Hospital stays can be especially destabilizing for individuals with cognitive impairment. Patients often arrive from memory care or skilled nursing facilities, separated from familiar routines and, at times, without regular visitors. The unfamiliar sights, sounds, and clinical demands of the hospital environment can heighten anxiety and confusion, increasing the risk of delirium and prolonging recovery.

“Patients with dementia can become disoriented and anxious during hospitalization,” D’Elia explains. “This stress can affect both emotional well-being and physical health, increasing the risk of delirium and slowing recovery.”

D’Elia draws inspiration from the hospital’s Pet Paws Volunteer and Pet Therapy programs, observing how live animals bring comfort to patients and staff. However, therapy animals cannot be present around the clock. She also sees the positive impact of robotic companion pets in memory care facilities but notes their absence in acute-care hospitals.

“With funding from the Sarasota Memorial Healthcare Foundation and guidance from the Kolschowsky Research and Education Institute, we transformed this concept into a formal research study,” she says. “Their support was instrumental in navigating the research process and rigorously evaluating outcomes while keeping patient experience and staff engagement central.”

From Concept to Clinical Trial

The study is randomized. Approximately half of eligible older adults with mild to moderate dementia receive a robotic pet in addition to standard care. Patients in the intervention group select either a cat or a dog, which they keep throughout their hospital stay and take home upon discharge. The interactive pets respond to touch: the cat blinks, meows, and purrs; the dog blinks, barks, and wags its tail.

Launching the program requires months of operational planning with ongoing education for those involved in the pilot project.

“Launching the program required careful planning and collaboration,” D’Elia says. “We piloted it on 3 medical/surgical units and provided education to staff, patients, and families to ensure everyone felt confident and informed. I reviewed charts for eligibility, while a computer program randomly assigned patients. Staff training and workflow coordination were essential to successfully implement and sustain the study.”

What the team discovers surprises even the researchers.

Compared with the control group, patients who receive robotic pets experience fewer drops in blood pressure and heart rate, fewer episodes associated with fall risk, shorter hospital stays, and a higher likelihood of returning home rather than transitioning to assisted living or skilled nursing facilities.

“Initially, the physiological improvements were unexpected,” D’Elia says. “However, patients who interacted with robotic pets were actively engaged—they held, petted, and conversed with their companion pet, and that appeared to reduce stress and promote emotional well-being. Observing laughter, smiles, and comfort underscored the profound connection between emotional support and physiological responses.”

She adds that the findings reinforce a broader clinical truth.

“These findings highlight that non-pharmacological, human-centered interventions can elicit measurable clinical effects,” according to D’Elia. “They reinforced for me that emotional and physical health are deeply intertwined, and that fostering comfort, engagement, and companionship can be a meaningful component of acute-care strategies.”

Improving Discharge Outcomes and Independence

One of the study’s most compelling outcomes is the increased likelihood that patients return home after hospitalization. For older adults with dementia, discharge destination significantly influences long-term independence and quality of life.

“I believe emotional support and engagement were key factors,” D’Elia explains. “Robotic pets provided comfort, companionship, and a sense of purpose, helping patients feel calmer, less isolated, and more motivated to participate in care.”

She notes that while she does not directly observe measurable changes in mobility or appetite, it is reasonable to speculate that emotionally supported patients may be more likely to engage in therapies and self-care.

“Interactions with staff while using the pet likely strengthened communication and personalized care, supporting independence and increasing the likelihood of a successful discharge home,” she says.

A Model for Non-Pharmacological Innovation

From a clinical leadership standpoint, the trial underscores the power of non-pharmacological interventions in the hospital setting.

“The trial highlighted the power of non-pharmacological interventions,” D’Elia says. “Providing comfort, engagement, and emotional support through robotic pets enhances patient experience and produces measurable clinical benefits.”

She believes the initiative also reflects a broader cultural shift.

“It demonstrated that human-centered, creative approaches can complement medical care and that fostering a culture of nursing innovation, where staff are empowered to implement evidence-based, non-drug strategies, can meaningfully improve care and outcomes. Most importantly, the study showed that small, compassionate interventions can profoundly impact patients’ well-being.”

With the trial now complete, the next phase focuses on sustainability and scalability.

“The next step is securing funding to integrate robotic companion pets into standard care,” D’Elia says. “The intervention has already provided meaningful benefits for patients, caregivers, and staff, offering comfort and engagement when it’s needed most.”

Expanding the model would require purchasing more robotic pets, as well as additional education and ongoing monitoring. Yet the implications extend beyond one hospital.

“Scaling the approach would involve training staff, embedding the intervention into routine care, and monitoring outcomes to capture its ongoing impact,” D’Elia adds. “This program demonstrates how innovative, patient-centered strategies can enhance care and serve as a practical model for other hospitals.”

As hospitals nationwide seek to improve outcomes while reducing reliance on medications, Sarasota Memorial’s experience suggests that sometimes the most powerful interventions are not high-tech devices or complex therapies, but thoughtful, human-centered solutions designed to meet patients where they are.

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