The Experience оf Animаl Assisted Therаpy оn Pаtients in an Acute Care Setting (Cоakley et al., 2021). Background: Animal-assisted therapy (AAT) programs are popular and there has been a proliferation of programs across settings. However, the research to support this intervention has not kept pace. This is particularly so for people who are hospitalized. Objective: This investigation aimed to explore the effects of the AAT dog visitation program on patients. We hypothesized that a one-time AAT visit/intervention from a dog lasting about 15 min would result in decreased respiratory and heart rate, improved comfort, and wellbeing and decreased measures of anxiety in participants. Methods: A single group pre-post design evaluated the effect of pet therapy on participants who were recruited from three inpatient general care units at a large acute care hospital in the northeastern section of the United States over a six-month period in 2018. Participants were enrolled based on who was available and met criteria to participate. Measures included salivary cortisol, anxiety, wellbeing, comfort, respiratory, and heart rate. Patient-reported outcomes included measures of anxiety, comfort, and well-being. The Spielberger State/Trait Anxiety questionnaire (STAI), a measure of anxiety, contains 20 items that ask respondents to describe how they feel “right now” to a series of 20 questions. The STAI is a reliable (Cronbach alpha coefficient of .92) and valid tool to measure anxiety. Results: Analysis indicates a significant reduction in heart and respiratory rates p