Introducing Robotic Pets into Dementia Care: A Longitudinal Qualitative Study

Animatronic (“robotic”) pets are increasingly popular as a therapeutic approach used by caregivers to interact with persons living with mild-to-moderate dementia. Few studies have considered the influence of both implementation and professional practice on the effectiveness of their use. Addressing this gap, our study evaluated experiences and insights offered by recreation therapy team members when introducing a robotic pets program for residents living with dementia within a residential facility. While embedded in this setting, our research team conducted three longitudinal qualitative, semi-structured group interviews and four participant observation sessions with recreation team members over a six-month study period, followed by a workshop 1 year into implementation. Using a reflexive thematic analysis approach, we organized findings into three implementation stages: (i) pre-intervention planning; (ii) intervention delivery; and (iii) sustainability. Our findings suggested that study participants held and sustained positive views toward robotic pet interactions with residents, adopted approaches tailored to residents’ evolving needs, and responded to various caregiving and behavioral challenges with skill and imagination. These insights may help others optimize the effectiveness of robotic pets when delivered as a resident-centered, adaptable program for people living with mild-to-moderate dementia in residential care.