Dog-Assisted Therapies and Activities in Rehabilitation of Children with Cerebral Palsy and Physical and Mental Disabilities

Abstract

The aim of the present study was to evaluate dog-assisted therapies and activities in the rehabilitation of children with cerebral palsy and physical and mental disabilities who have difficulties in benefiting from well-being and health-improving services. This descriptive-explanatory study was conducted in disabled children of various ages between 2008 and 2011 by an experienced team in a private training and rehabilitation center in Antalya (Turkey). In this study, five study groups were formed among the children with physical and mental disabilities. During the therapy studies, three dogs were used. For each therapy group, the goals for the children and therapist were defined, and the activities were determined according to these goals. The entire study process was followed using audio-records and photographs of patients. The expected targets were reached in all study groups. The children who experienced fear, anxiety and difficulties due to their disabilities in daily life learned to cope with their anxieties and fears, set goals and make plans to achieve their aims. During this study, the children improved their abilities to use their bodies according to their capabilities. Accordingly, they improved their ability to develop empathy between themselves and a therapy dog, to receive and present help, and to communicate. The results of the present study revealed that dog-assisted therapies and activities can be a supportive method for routine treatment procedures in the rehabilitation of children with cerebral palsy and physical and mental disabilities.

Terapia assistida com cães em pediatria oncológica: percepção de pais e enfermeiros

“…Children or adolescents who underwent some kind of change of mobility or strength caused by the disease can improve their strength and muscle tone with sensory and kinesthetic stimuli with the help of the dog just by simply touching the animal or brushing its hair, which contributes to the recovery of self-esteem and reinforces the social contact the animal provides them (21) . However, this therapy requires some precautions to be taken with the animal, such as: presentation of a document attesting the dog's health, previous defecation, bath, and hygienization made 24 hours before the visit to reduce allergens.…”

Learning R Programming Language With Psi Chi

“…Many different populations interact with therapy animals including children, adolescents, adults, and older adults, people with physical ailments, people needing speech therapy, people with psychological disorders, and people with developmental disabilities (Boyer & Mundschenk, 2014;Braun, Stangler, Narveson, & Pettingell, 2009;Fedor, 2018;Matuszek, 2010;Nimer & Lundahl, 2007). Animal-assisted therapy has been incorporated with everything from cats (De Kok, 2004) to dogs (Arnold, 1995;Elmacı & Cevizci, 2015;ZafraTanaka, PachecoBarrios, Tellez, & TaypeRondan, 2019) to even dolphins (Nathanson & de Faria, 2015). The therapy is adjusted depending on the intended population or the people's needs (Bokkers, 2006).…”

Ruh Sağlığını Koruma ve İyileştirmede Hayvan Destekli Uygulamaların Kullanımı

“…İnsan hayvan etkileşiminin bireyler üzerinde psikolojik, fiziksel (McCullough et al 2017), duygusal ve sosyal açıdan bütüncül bir yarar sağladığı vurgulanmaktadır. Günümüzde hayvan destekli uygulamaların psikosomatik yakınmaların tedavisinde etkili bir yöntem olarak kullanılabileceğine yönelik çalışma sonuçları mevcuttur (Elmacı & Cevizci 2015;McCullough et al 2017;West 2018).…”