Robotic Pets Improve Outcomes for Dementia Patients at Sarasota Hospital

Study shows interactive robotic cats and dogs provide comfort and security for elderly patients during hospital stays.

Published on Feb. 23, 2026

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A study at Sarasota Memorial Hospital has found that providing interactive robotic pets, both cats and dogs, to elderly patients with dementia during their hospital stays led to improved outcomes, including fewer drops in blood pressure and heart rate, fewer fall risk episodes, shorter hospital stays, and a higher likelihood of returning home rather than being discharged to a care facility.

Why it matters

The use of robotic pets represents a non-pharmacological approach to dementia care that can provide comfort and security to elderly patients who may feel isolated and confused during a hospital stay. This innovative study, initiated by nursing staff, highlights the potential for simple interventions to improve the hospital experience and recovery for dementia patients.

The details

The study, overseen by the Kolschowsky Research and Education Institute, involved 106 dementia patients at Sarasota Memorial Hospital. Nursing quality specialist Joanna D'Elia, who formerly coordinated the hospital's geriatric program, came up with the idea to use interactive robotic cats and dogs to engage with and provide companionship for these patients. The robotic pets helped give patients a sense of security and comfort during their stay, leading to the observed improvements in health outcomes.

  • The study began around two years ago.
  • The results were published on February 19, 2026.

The players

Joanna D'Elia

A nursing quality specialist who formerly coordinated the geriatric program at Sarasota Memorial Hospital and came up with the idea to use robotic pets to engage with dementia patients.

Deb Kabinoff

A board member of the Sarasota Memorial Healthcare Foundation who personally funded the robotic pet study.

Sarasota Memorial Hospital

The healthcare system that conducted the study on the use of robotic pets for dementia patients.

Kolschowsky Research and Education Institute

The organization that oversaw the robotic pet study, which the hospital said was one of the first in the country to test the benefits of companion robotic pets for dementia care in a hospital setting.

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What they’re saying

“We decided to use them as a way to engage patients with dementia, because we noticed that older adults can experience delirium, longer hospital stays, and just prolonged illnesses, and they do suffer from isolation and loneliness while they are in the hospital.”

— Joanna D'Elia, Nursing Quality Specialist (wfla.com)

“It's scary being in a hospital, especially for patients with dementia. They don't know where they are. Sometimes they don't know what is going on, who is that coming into a room, who is that stranger, but then if they look down and see that animal, they know, OK this is my animal, this is my safety net, so it just gives them security.”

— Joanna D'Elia, Nursing Quality Specialist (wfla.com)

“I thought it was so innovative to have a study that was initiated by nurses because so often the research comes from a physician or from a researcher. In this case, it was from a person who is actually spending day and night with the patients.”

— Deb Kabinoff, Sarasota Memorial Healthcare Foundation Board Member (wfla.com)

What’s next

The hospital plans to continue using robotic pets as a standard of care for elderly dementia patients, with the goal of expanding the program to other healthcare facilities.

The takeaway

This study demonstrates the potential for simple, non-pharmacological interventions like robotic pets to improve the hospital experience and outcomes for elderly dementia patients, who often struggle with isolation, confusion, and other challenges during their stays. The nurse-led initiative highlights the valuable insights that frontline healthcare workers can bring to improving patient care.